U.S. patent application number 10/837983 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for fluorescent polymeric materials containing lipid soluble rhodamine dyes.
Invention is credited to Benson, Scott C., Lam, Joe Y.L., Menchen, Steven M., Zou, Ruiming.
Application Number | 20040225037 10/837983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33452251 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040225037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam, Joe Y.L. ; et
al. |
November 11, 2004 |
Fluorescent polymeric materials containing lipid soluble rhodamine
dyes
Abstract
Fluorescent polymeric materials are disclosed comprising a
polymer and one or more lipid soluble rhodamine dyes. The materials
are especially useful in the preparation of multicolored
microparticles, especially multicolored polystyrene microparticle,
for use in the multiplexed analysis of a plurality of analytes in a
single sample. When excited by a light source, the materials give
off a unique emission based on the nature, concentration and ratio
of the dyes therein. Methods of preparing and using said materials
are also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Lam, Joe Y.L.; (Castro
Valley, CA) ; Menchen, Steven M.; (Fremont, CA)
; Zou, Ruiming; (Foster City, CA) ; Benson, Scott
C.; (Alameda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
W. Robinson H. Clark
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
Suite 400 South
1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington
DC
20004-2533
US
|
Family ID: |
33452251 |
Appl. No.: |
10/837983 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60469030 |
May 9, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
524/90 ; 524/236;
524/87; 524/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09B 11/24 20130101;
C09K 2211/1416 20130101; C09B 67/0097 20130101; C09K 11/025
20130101; C09K 2211/1088 20130101; C09B 67/0092 20130101; C09K
2211/145 20130101; C09B 69/103 20130101; C09K 11/06 20130101; C07D
311/80 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
524/090 ;
524/087; 524/089; 524/236 |
International
Class: |
C08L 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymer and at
least one lipid-soluble rhodamine dye comprising one of the
following core structures: 14where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2',
R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6",
R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from
hydrogen or the same or different substituent groups having no more
than 40 atoms, where at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent; where R.sup.9 in core
structure (II) is a nonaromatic substituent; where, with respect to
core structures (I), (III) and (IV), if R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are
each phenyl or substituted phenyl and R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are
each hydrogen then at least two of R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13,
R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 must be other than hydrogen; and where, with
respect to core structures (I), (III) and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8
are not, simultaneously, pendant or fused benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno groups.
2. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymer activated
with functional groups suitable for covalent attachment of
molecules thereto, said polymer having incorporated internally
therein at least one lipid-soluble rhodamine dye comprising one of
the following core structures: 15where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2',
R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6",
R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13, R.sup.14, and R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from
hydrogen or the same or different substituent groups having no more
than 40 atoms, where at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent; where R.sup.9 in core
structure (II) is a nonaromatic substituent; and where, with
respect to core structures (I), (III) and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8
are not, simultaneously, pendant or fused benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno groups.
3. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymeric particle
that swells in organic solvent, said polymeric particle having
incorporated internally therein at least one lipid-soluble
rhodamine dye comprising one of the following core structures:
16where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4,
R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7,
R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 are,
independently, selected from hydrogen or the same or different
substituent groups having no more than 40 atoms, where at least one
of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic
substituent; where R.sup.9 in core structure (II) is a nonaromatic
substituent; and where, with respect to core structures (I), (III)
and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are not, simultaneously, pendant or
fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno groups.
4. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymeric particle
formed from a crosslinked or uncrosslinked polymer selected from
polystyrene homopolymer and copolymers of styrene polymerized with
one or more other monomers, said polymeric particle having
incorporated internally therein at least one lipid-soluble
rhodamine dye comprising one of the following core structures:
17where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4,
R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7,
R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and
R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from hydrogen or the same or
different substituent groups having no more than 40 atoms, where at
least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' is a
lipophilic substituent; where R.sup.9 in core structure (II) is a
nonaromatic substituent; and where, with respect to core structures
(I), (III) and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are not, simultaneously,
pendant or fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno groups.
5. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6'
is a lipophilic substituent selected from (C4-C20) alkyls and
heteroalkyls, (C5-C20) aryls and heteroaryls, and (C6-C40)
arylalkyls or heteroaryl alkyls.
6. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6'
is a lipophilic substituent is selected from (C7-C20) alkyls.
7. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein at least two of R.sup.3', R.sup.6", R.sup.3" and R.sup.6"
are the same or different lipophilic substituent.
8. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein all of R.sup.3', R.sup.6", R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are the
same or different lipophilic substituent.
9. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein the substituents in core structures (I), (II), (III) and
(IV) are further defined as follows: (i.) with respect to core
structure (I), R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20)
alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or
heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.1 is taken together with R.sup.2 form part of
a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken together with Rto form part of
a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken
together with R.sup.3' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.3' is selected from
hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is taken together with R.sup.2 to form
a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
R.sup.3" is selected from (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3" is taken together with
R.sup.4 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively R.sup.4 is taken together with R.sup.3" to form a
5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
R.sup.5 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable 10 group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken
together with R.sup.6 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.6" is selected from
(C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or
heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl
or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups or,
alternatively R.sup.6 is taken together with R.sup.5 to form a 5-
or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or more
of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
R.sup.6' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is taken
together with R.sup.7 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.7 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken together with R.sup.6' to form a 5-
or 6-membered ring optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken together with R.sup.8 to form part
of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.8 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.8 together with R.sup.7 form part of a
benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, halo,
(C1-C20) alkyl, haloalkyl, --OR.sup.y, --SR.sup.y, --SOR.sup.y,
--SO.sub.2R.sup.y, --C(O)OR.sup.y, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.y, amide,
sulfonamide and nitrile, R.sup.12, R.sup.11 and R.sup.14 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen R.sup.x,
(C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or
heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl
or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.x is
selected from --NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OR.sup.d, --SR.sup.d, halo,
haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2, --N.sub.3,
--S(O)R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d,
--S(O)NR.sup.cR .sup.c, --S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(O)R.sup.d, --C(O)O R.sup.d,
--C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OC(O)R.sup.d,
--OC(O)OR.sup.d, --OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, R.sup.y is selected from (C1-C20) alkyls
or heteroalkyls optionally substituted with lipophilic
substituents, (C5-C20) aryls or heteroaryls optionally substituted
with lipophilic substituents and (C6-C26) arylalkyl or
heteroarylalkyls optionally substituted with lipophilic
substituents, R.sup.a is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl or
heteroalkyl, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl and (C6-C28) arylalkyl or
heteroarylalkyl, R.sup.b is selected from --NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
.dbd.O, --OR.sup.d, .dbd.S, --SR.sup.d, .dbd.NR.sup.d,
.dbd.NOR.sup.d, halo, haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO,
--NO.sub.2, .dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2R
.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --S(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(O)R.sup.d,
--C(O)OR.sup.d, --C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--OC(O)R.sup.d, --OC(O)OR.sup.d, --OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, each R.sup.c is independently hydrogen or
R.sup.d, or, alternatively, each R.sup.c is taken together with the
nitrogen atom to which it is bonded to form a 5 to 8-membered
saturated or unsaturated ring which may optionally include one or
more of the same or different additional heteroatoms and which may
optionally be substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.d groups, each R.sup.d is independently R.sup.a or
R.sup.a substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.e groups, and each R.sup.e is selected from
--NR.sup.aR.sup.a, .dbd.O, --OR.sup.a.dbd.S, --SR.sup.a,
.dbd.NR.sup.a, .dbd.NOR.sup.a, halo, haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN,
--SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2, .dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.a, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --S(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --SO(O)R.sup.a, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.a,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(O)R.sup.a,
--C(O)OR.sup.a, --C(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--OC(O)R.sup.a, --OC(O)OR.sup.a, --OC(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a; and (ii.) with respect to core structure
(II), R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.5,
R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.x, R.sup.a, R.sup.b,
R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6
with respect to core structure (I), and R.sup.9 is selected from
hydrogen alkyl, halo, haloalkyl, or nitrile; (iii.) with respect to
core structure (III), R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.5, R.sup.6",
R.sup.6', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14,
R.sup.15, R.sup.x, R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and
R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6 with respect to core
structure (I), R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20)
alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or
heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken together with Ror R.sup.2' to form
part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.2' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2' is taken together with
R.sup.2 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group
which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively,
R.sup.2' is taken together with R.sup.3' to form a 5- or 6-membered
ring which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.3' is
selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is taken together with
R.sup.2' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively R.sup.4 is taken together with R.sup.3" to form a
5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.4 is taken together with R.sup.4' to form
part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, and R.sup.4' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4' is taken together
R.sup.4 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group
which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; and (iv.) with
respect to core structure (IV), R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.6",
R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.x,
R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e areas
first defined in section 5.6 with respect to core structure (I),
R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.4 and R.sup.4' are as defined in
section 5.8 with respect to core structure (II), R.sup.5' is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken together
with R.sup.5 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno
group which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.5 is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken together
with R.sup.6" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.5 is taken
together with R.sup.5' to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, R.sup.6" is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is
taken together with R.sup.7' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.7' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7" is taken together with R.sup.6'
to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.7' is taken together with
R.sup.7 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group
which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, and R.sup.7 is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.7' or R.sup.8 to form part of a benzo, naptho
or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups.
10. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (I).
11. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (I) and,
additionally, the substituents therein comprise one or more of the
following features: R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are each, independently of
one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, halo, and
--CF.sub.3, or are part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group with
R.sup.2 and R.sup.7, respectively; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3, --CN, carboxylate, ester, sulfone, amino,
amido and oxoether, or are part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group
with R.sup.1 and R.sup.8, respectively, or are part of a 5 or 6
membered ring with R.sup.3' and R.sup.6', respectively; R.sup.3'
and R.sup.6' are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen and (C4-C20) alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring
with R.sup.2 and R.sup.7, respectively; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are
each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and
(C4-C20) alkyl or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.4
and R.sup.5, respectively; at least two of R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.6', R.sup.6" are not hydrogen; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3, aryl, heteroaryl, --CN, carboxylate,
ester, and sulfone, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are
each, independently, selected from hydrogen, halo, ester, amide,
sulfonamide, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e, --SR.sup.e, --CN and
sulfone; and R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl,
aryl, (C4 to C20) alkyl ester, sulfone, --CF.sub.3 and --CN.
12. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (I) and,
additionally, the substituents therein comprise one or more of the
following features: R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are each, independently of
one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or
are part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.2 and
R.sup.8, respectively; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 are each, independently
of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or
are part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.1 and
R.sup.8 respectively, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3' and R.sup.6', respectively; R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are each
the same or different (C4-C20) alkyl; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are
each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and the
same or different (C4-C20) alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered
ring with R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, respectively; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5
are each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen,
(C1-C8) alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl and halo, or are part of a 5 or
6 membered ring with R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11
and R.sup.15, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen,
fluoro, chloro, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e and --SR.sup.e; and
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen and halo.
13. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises one of the following structural
embodiments of core structure (I): 181920where each R.sup.z is
independently selected from hydrogen, R.sup.b, (C1-C20) alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group; and
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6',
R.sup.6", R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14,
R.sup.15, R.sup.a and R.sup.b are as previously defined.
14. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye is one of the following embodiments of core
structure (I): 2122
15. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (II).
16. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (II) and,
additionally, the substituents therein comprise one or more of the
following features: R.sup.1 when taken together with R.sup.2 forms
part of a fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group that is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; R.sup.7 when taken together
with R.sup.8 forms part of a fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group that is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; and
R.sup.9 is hydrogen.
17. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises one of the following structural
embodiments of core structure (II): 23wherein each R.sup.Q is
independently selected from hydrogen, (C1-C20) alkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and
(C6-C40) arylalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group; and R.sup.a
and R.sup.b are as previously defined.
18. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye is selected from the following embodiments of
core structure (II): 24
19. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (III).
20. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (III) and further
comprises one or more substituted or unsubstituted five or six
membered fused rings that comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen
atom from either the exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group
and one of R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7.
21. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (IV).
22. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 9 wherein the lipid
soluble rhodamine dye comprises core structure (IV) and further
comprises one or more substituted or unsubstituted five or six
membered fused rings that comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen
atom from either the exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group
and one of R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7'.
23. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-3 in
which the polymer is formed by polymerizing one or more of the
following monomers: substituted or unsubstituted styrenes,
acrylate, alkyl acrylates, methacrylate, alkyl methacrylates,
acrylonitrile, alkyl acrylonitrile, esters, acetates, amides,
alcohols, acrolein, dimethylsiloxane, butadiene, isoprene,
urethane, vinylacetate, vinylchloride, vinylpyridine,
vinylbenzylchloride, vinyltoluene, vinylidene chloride and
divinylbenzene, and mixtures thereof, with or without the
additional presence of a crosslinking agent.
24. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 23 wherein the
polymer is a hydrophobic copolymer of styrene, acrylic acid, and a
polyvinyl crosslinking agent.
25. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
wherein the polymer is in the form of a microparticle having a
diameter in the range of about 0.01 to 1000 micrometers.
26. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4 in
which the lipid-soluble rhodamine dye is incorporated into the
polymer non-covalently.
27. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1, 3
and 4 wherein the polymer is activated so that it comprises one or
more groups that have a reactive functionality.
28. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claim 27
wherein the reactive functionality is an electrophile selected from
pentafluorphenyl ester, NHS-ester, acrylamides, acyl azides, acyl
halides, acyl nitriles, aldehydes or ketones, alkyl halides, alkyl
sulfonates, anydrides, aryl halides, aziridines, boronates,
carboxylic acids, carbodiimides, diazoalkenes, epoxides,
haloacetamides, halotriazines, imido esters, isocyanates,
isothiocyanates, maleimides, phorphoramidites, silyl halides,
sulfonate esters, and sulfonyl halides.
29. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 27 wherein the
reactive functionality is a nucleophile selected from
amines/anilines, alcohols/phenols, thiols, hydrazines, and
hydroxylamines.
30. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
that further includes another substance that is absorbed into,
adsorbed onto or covalently attached to the polymer.
31. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 30 in which the
other substance is a biomolecule or a probe for a biomolecule.
32. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 31 in which the
other substance is a biomolecule selected from amino acids,
polypeptides, glycosolated and unglycosolated proteins,
nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides,
nucleic acids, polynucleic acids, carbohydrates, and steroids.
33. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 31 in which the
other substance is a biomolecule selected from haptens, antibodies,
enzymes, toxins and hormones.
34. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 30 in which the
other substance is selected from antigens, drugs, vitamins,
poisons, and pathogens.
35. The fluorescent polymeric material of any one of claims 1-4
which includes a mixture of from 1 to 10 fluorescent dyes.
36. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 35 in which each of
the fluorescent dyes is independently selected lipid soluble
rhodamine dye comprising one of core structures (I), (II), (III)
and (IV), acridine dyes, alizarene dyes, azo dyes, anthraquinine
dyes, bodipy dyes, coumarin dyes, cyaniine dyes, fluorescein dyes,
lanthanide complexes, oxazine dyes, phenazathionium dyes,
phenazoxonium dyes, porphyorin dyes, pyrene dyes, pyrilium dyes,
perylene dyes, phenoxazine dyes, phenezine dyes, rhodol dyes and
xanthene dyes.
37. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 35 in which all of
the fluorescent dyes fluoresce when irradiated with the same
excitation source.
38. The fluorescent polymer material of claim 35 in which two or
more fluorescent dyes fluoresce when irradiated with multiple
excitation sources.
39. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 35 wherein at least
one of the fluorescent dyes is an energy transfer dye.
40. A collection of fluorescent polymeric particle populations,
each of which has a unique, spectrally resolvable fluorescent
emission spectrum and at least one of which comprises particles
that comprise a polymer having incorporated internally therein at
least one lipid-soluble rhodamine dye comprising one of the
following core structures: 25where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2',
R.sup.3', R.sup."3, R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6",
R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from
hydrogen or the same or different substituent groups having no more
than 40 atoms, where at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent; where R.sup.9 in core
structure (II) is a nonaromatic substituent; and where, with
respect to core structures (I), (III) and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8
are not, simultaneously, pendant or fused benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno groups.
41. The collection of claim 40 wherein at least one of R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent
selected from (C4-C20) alkyls and heteroalkyls, (C5-C20) aryls and
heteroaryls, and (C6-C40) arylalkyls or heteroaryl alkyis.
42. The collection of claim 40 wherein at least one of R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent is
selected from (C7-C20) alkyls.
43. The collection of claim 40 wherein at least two of R.sup.3',
R.sup.6", R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are the same or different
lipophilic substituent.
44. The collection of claim 40 wherein all of R.sup.3', R.sup.6",
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are the same or different lipophilic
substituent.
45. The collection of claim 40 wherein the substituents in core
structures (I), (II), (III) and (IV) are further defined as
follows: (i.) with respect to core structure (I), R.sup.2 is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.1 is
taken together with R.sup.2 form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is
taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken together with R.sup.3
to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, R.sup.3' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is
taken together with R.sup.2 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.3" is selected from
(C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or
heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl
or heteroaryl, alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.3" is taken together with R.sup.4 to form a 5-
or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or more
of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4 is
taken together with R.sup.3 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.5 is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken together with
R.sup.6" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.6" is selected from (C4-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups or, alternatively R.sup.6" is
taken together with R.sup.5 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.6' is selected from
hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is taken together with R.sup.7 to form
a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.7
is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.6' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.8 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.8
is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.8
together with R.sup.7 form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.11
and R.sup.15 are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen, halo, (C1-C20) alkyl, haloalkyl, --OR.sup.y, --SR.sup.y,
--SOR.sup.y, --SO.sub.2OR.sup.y, --C(O)OR.sup.y,
--S(O).sub.2OR.sup.y, amide, sulfonamide and nitrile, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each, independently of one another,
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.x is selected from
--NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OR.sup.d, --SR.sup.d, halo, haloalkyl, --CN,
--NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.d,
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --S(O)NR.sup.cR .sup.c,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(O)R.sup.d,
--C(O)O R.sup.d, --C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--OC(O)R.sup.d, --OC(O)OR.sup.d, --OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, R.sup.y is selected from (C1-C20) alkyls
or heteroalkyls optionally substituted with lipophilic
substituents, (C5-C20) aryls or heteroaryls optionally substituted
with lipophilic substituents and (C6-C26) arylalkyl or
heteroarylalkyls optionally substituted with lipophilic
substituents, R.sup.a is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl or
heteroalkyl, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl and (C6-C28) arylalkyl or
heteroarylalkyl, R.sup.b is selected from --NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
.dbd.O, --OR.sup.d, .dbd.S, --SR.sup.d, .dbd.NR.sup.d,
.dbd.NOR.sup.d, halo, haloalkyl, , --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO,
--NO.sub.2, .dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2R
.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --S(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(O)R.sup.d,
--C(O)OR.sup.d, --C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--OC(O)R.sup.d, --OC(O)OR.sup.d, --OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, each R.sup.c is independently hydrogen or
R.sup.d, or, alternatively, each R.sup.c is taken together with the
nitrogen atom to which it: is bonded to form a 5 to 8-membered
saturated or unsaturated ring which may optionally include one or
more of the same or different additional heteroatoms and which may
optionally be substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.d groups, each R.sup.d is independently R.sup.a or
R.sup.a substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.e groups, and each R.sup.e is selected from
--NR.sup.aR.sup.a, .dbd.O, --OR.sup.a, .dbd.S, --SR.sup.a,
.dbd.NR.sup.a, .dbd.NOR.sup.a, halo, haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN,
--SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2, .dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.a, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --S(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --SO(O)R.sup.a, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.a,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --OS(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(O)R.sup.a,
--C(O)OR.sup.a, --C(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--OC(O)R.sup.a, --OC(O)OR.sup.a, --OC(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a; and (ii.) with respect to core structure
(II), R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.5,
R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.x, R.sup.a, R.sup.b,
R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6
with respect to core structure (I), and R.sup.9 is selected from
hydrogen, alkyl, halo, haloalkyl, or nitrile; (iii.) with respect
to core structure (III), R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.5, R.sup.6",
R.sup.6', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14,
R.sup.15, R.sup.x, R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and
R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6 with respect to core
structure (I), R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20)
alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or
heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the
same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or,
alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken together with R.sup.1 or R.sup.2'
to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.2' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2' is taken together with
R.sup.2 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group
which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively,
R.sup.2' is taken together with R.sup.3' to form a 5- or 6-membered
ring which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.3' is
selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is taken together with
R.sup.2' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen,
R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40)
arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively R.sup.4 is taken together with R.sup.3" to form a
5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.4 is taken together with R.sup.4' to form
part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, and R.sup.4' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4' is taken together
R.sup.4 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group
which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; and (iv.) with
respect to core structure (IV), R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.6",
R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.x,
R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as
first defined in section 5.6 with respect to core structure (I),
R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.4, and R.sup.4' are as defined
in section 5.8 with respect to core structure (III), R.sup.5' is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken together
with R.sup.5 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno
group which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.5 is
selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is taken together
with R.sup.6" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.5 is taken
together with R.sup.5' to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, R.sup.6' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is
taken together with R.sup.7' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, R.sup.7' is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7' is taken together with R.sup.6'
to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups,
or, alternatively, R.sup.7' is taken together with R.sup.7 to form
part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, and R.sup.7 is selected from
hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.b
groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups
and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken together with R.sup.7'
or R.sup.8 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno
group which is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups.
46. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (I).
47. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (I) and, additionally, the
substituents therein comprise one or more of the following
features: R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, halo, and
--CF.sub.3, or are part of a fuised aryl or heteroaryl group with
R.sup.2 and R.sup.7, respectively; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3, --CN, carboxylate, ester, sulfone, amino,
amido and oxoether, or are part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group
with R.sup.1 and R.sup.8, respectively, or are part of a 5 or 6
membered ring with R.sup.3' and R.sup.6', respectively; R.sup.3'
and R.sup.6' are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen and (C4-C20) alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring
with R.sup.2 and R.sup.7, respectively; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are
each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and
(C4-C20) alkyl or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.4
and R.sup.5, respectively; at least two of R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.6', R.sup.6"are not hydrogen; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3, aryl, heteroaryl, --CN, carboxylate,
ester, and sulfone, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are
each, independently, selected from hydrogen, halo, ester, amide,
sulfonamide, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e, --SR.sup.e, --CN and
sulfone; and R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl,
aryl, (C4 to C20) alkyl ester, sulfone, --CF.sub.3 and --CN.
48. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (I) and, additionally, the
substituents therein comprise one or more of the following
features: R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or are
part of a fuised aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.2 and R.sup.8,
respectively; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or are
part of a fused aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.1 and R.sup.8
respectively, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.3'
and R.sup.6', respectively; R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are each the same
or different (C4-C20) alkyl; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and the same
or different (C4-C20) alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring
with R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, respectively; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are
each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl and halo, or are part of a 5 or 6
membered ring with R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11
and R.sup.15, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen,
fluoro, chloro, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e and --SR.sup.e; and
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen and halo.
49. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises one of the following structural embodiments of core
structure (I): 262728where each R.sup.z is independently selected
from hydrogen, R.sup.b, (C1-C20) alkyl optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6', R.sup.41 , R.sup.7, R.sup.8,
R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.a and
R.sup.b are as previously defined.
50. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye is one of the following embodiments of core structure (I):
2930
51. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (II).
52. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (II) and, additionally, the
substituents therein comprise one or more of the following
features: R.sup.1 when taken together with R.sup.2 forms part of a
fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno group that is optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups; and R.sup.7 when taken together with
R.sup.8 forms part of a fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic aryleno
group that is optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups.
53. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises one of the following structural embodiments of core
structure (II): 31wherein each R.sup.Q is independently selected
from hydrogen, (C1-C20) alkyl optionally substituted with one or
more of the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group; and R.sup.a and R.sup.b are as
previously defined.
54. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye is one of the following embodiments of core structure (II):
32
55. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (III).
56. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (III) and further comprises one or
more substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered fused rings
that comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen atom from either the
exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group and one of R.sup.2',
R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7.
57. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (IV).
58. The collection of claim 40 wherein the lipid soluble rhodamine
dye comprises core structure (IV) and further comprises one or more
substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered fused rings that
comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen atom from either the
exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group and one of R.sup.2',
R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7'.
59. The collection of claim 40 in which the polymer is formed from
one or more of the following monomers: substituted or unsubstituted
styrenes, acrylate, alkyl acrylates, methacrylate, alkyl
methacrylates, acrylonitrile, alkyl acrylonitrile, esters,
acetates, amides, alcohols, acrolein, dimethylsiloxane, butadiene,
isoprene, urethane, vinylacetate, vinylchloride, vinylpyridine,
vinylbenzylchloride, vinyltoluene, vinylidene chloride and
divinylbenzene, and mixtures thereof, with or without the
additional presence of a crosslinking agent.
60. The collection of claim 59 in which the polymer is a
hydrophobic copolymer of styrene, acrylic acid, and a polyvinyl
crosslinking agent.
61. The collection of claim 40 in which each of the particles
comprising the lipid soluble rhodamine dye is a microparticle
having a diameter in the range of about 0.01 to 1000
micrometers.
62. The collection of claim 40 in which the lipid-soluble rhodamine
dye is incorporated into the polymer non-covalently.
63. The collection of claim 40 in which one or more of the
particles comprising the lipid soluble rhodamine dye is activated
to comprise one or more groups that have a reactive
functionality.
64. The collection of claim 63 in which the reactive functionality
is an electrophile selected from pentafluorphenyl ester, NHS-ester,
acrylamides, acyl azides, acyl halides, acyl nitriles, aldehydes or
ketones, alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, anydrides, aryl halides,
aziridines, boronates, carboxylic acids, carbodiimides,
diazoalkenes, epoxides, haloacetamides, halotriazines, imido
esters, isocyanates, isothiocyanates, maleimides, phorphoramidites,
silyl halides, sulfonate esters, and sulfonyl halides.
65. The collection of claim 63 in which the reactive functionality
is a nucleophile selected from amines/anilines, alcohols/phenols,
thiols, hydrazines, and hydroxylamines.
66. The collection of claim 40 in which the particles comprising
the lipid soluble rhodamine dye further include another substance
that is absorbed into, adsorbed onto or covalently attached to the
particles.
67. The collection of claim 66 in which the other substance is a
biomolecule or a probe for a biomolecule.
68. The collection of claim 67 in which the other substance is a
biomolecule selected from amino acids, polypeptides, glycosolated
and unglycosolated proteins, nucleosides, nucleotides,
oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, nucleic acids, polynucleic
acids, carbohydrates, and steroids.
69. The collection of claim 67 in which the other substance is a
biomolecule selected from haptens, antibodies, enzymes, toxins and
hormones.
70. The collection of claim 66 in which the other substance is
selected from antigens, drugs, vitamins, poisons, and
pathogens.
71. The collection of claim 40 in which at least one fluorescent
dye in the particles of each particle population is a lipid-soluble
rhodamine comprising one of structures (I), (II), (III) and
(IV).
72. The collection of claim 40 in which each particle population
fluoresces when illuminated by the same excitation source.
73. The collection of claim 40 in which two or more fluorescent
dyes fluoresce when irradiated with multiple excitation
sources.
74. The collection of claim 40 in which at least one of the
particle populations comprises a plurality of fluorescent dyes.
75. The collection of claim 40 in which the fluorescent dyes of the
plurality are each, independently of one another, selected from
lipid soluble rhodamine dye comprising structures (I), (II), (III)
or (IV), acridine dyes, alizarene dyes, azo dyes, anthraquinine
dyes, bodipy dyes, coumarin dyes, cyanine dyes, fluorescein dyes,
lanthanide complexes, oxazine dyes, phenazathionium dyes,
phenazoxonium dyes, porphyorin dyes, pyrene dyes, pyrilium dyes,
perylene dyes, phenoxazine dyes, phenezine dyes, rhodol dyes and
xanthene dyes.
76. The collection of claim 40 wherein the particles comprising the
lipid soluble rhodamine additionally comprise an energy transfer
dye.
77. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymer and an
energy transfer dye comprising two to four covalently attached dyes
wherein one of said covalently attached dyes is a lipid soluble
rhodamine dye that comprises one of the following "core"
structures: 33where at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent where R.sup.9 in core
structure (II) is a nonaromatic substituent; where, with respect to
core structures (I), (III) and (IV), R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 are not,
simultaneously, pendant or fuised benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno groups; where at least one of R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3',
R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7,
R.sup.12, R.sup.13, and R.sup.14 corresponds to the moiety
--S.sup.1-LK--S.sup.2-D, where D is an acceptor or donor dye,
S.sup.1 and S.sup.2 are, individually, a covalent bond or a spacing
moiety selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyls,
heteroalkyls, aryls and heteroaryls containing no more than 20
atoms, and LK is any reacted linking group; and where the remainder
of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4,
R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7,
R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13 , R.sup.14 and
R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from hydrogen or the same or
different substituent groups having no more than 40 atoms.
78. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 77 wherein LK is
selected from an ester, an amide, a sulfonamide, a hydrazine, an
imine, a maleimide, a sulfide, a disulfide, a carbamate and a
thiocarbamate.
79. The fluorescent polymeric material of claim 77 wherein all of
the attached dyes are lipid soluble rhodamines.
80. A fluorescent polymeric material comprising a polymeric
particle and a lipid soluble rhodamine.
Description
1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims benefit to U.S. provisional
patent applicaton number 60/469,030, filed May 9, 2003, entitled
"Fluroescent Polymeric Materials Containing Lipid Soluble Rhodamine
Dyes."
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 2.1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Fluorescent polymeric particles that comprise a polymer and
one or more lipid soluble rhodamine dyes are described herein.
[0004] 2.2 Description of Related Art
[0005] Dyed polymeric materials are known in the art. However,
there remains an ever present need to develop improved and more
diverse dyed polymeric materials for use in, among other things,
the multiplexed analysis of a plurality of analytes in a single
assay. Specifically, there is a need for fluorescent polymeric
materials that contain dyes that exhibit enhanced fluorescence,
enhanced retention characteristics, and high photostability without
significantly sacrificing other desirable properties. These and
other needs are met by the materials described herein.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Fluorescent polymeric materials that comprise a polymer and
one or more lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes are described herein.
Optionally, one or more additional dyes may be present. Optionally,
one or more additional materials may be present including
biomolecules as well as compounds that aid in material separation
such as paramagnetic compounds.
[0007] The polymer component may be any polymer that swells in an
organic solvent or solvent system that is used to dissolve a lipid
soluble rhodamine dye. Illustrative organic solvents include ethyl
acetate and dichloromethane. In one embodiment, the polymer
component is also sufficiently hydrophobic that it shrinks in
alcoholic solvent, e.g., isopropanol.
[0008] Non-limiting examples of useful polymers include polymers
polymerized from one or more substituted or unsubstituted versions
of the following monomers: styrene; acrylate; alkyl acrylate;
methacrylate; alkyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile; alkyl
acrylonitrile; esters; acetates; amides; alcohols; isocyanates;
acrolein; dimethylsiloxane; butadiene; isoprene; urethane;
vinylacetate; vinylchloride; vinylpyridine; vinylbenzylchloride;
vinyltoluene; vinylidene chloride; and mixtures thereof. The
polymer may be crosslinked or uncrosslinked, and may take on
virtually any shape or form, ranging from amorphous forms to
structured forms like sheets, discs, pellets, beads, etc. In one
embodiment, the polymer is a crosslinked polystyrene bead or
particle.
[0009] The polymer component may be "activated" to include
functional groups, such as carboxylate and/or amine groups,
suitable for attaching the fluorescent polymeric material to
another substance, such as, for example, biomolecules, haptens,
drugs, poisons, vitamins, antigens and pathogens. Alternatively,
the polymer component may include precursors of such functional
groups that can be modified or transformed into such groups via
chemical or other means. Activation of the polymer component to
include such groups may occur before, during or after incorporation
of the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes and/or other optional dyes.
[0010] The polymer component can include substances useful in the
manipulation of the fluorescent polymeric material. For example,
paramagnetic compounds may be present in, or on, the polymer that
allow the polymer to be collected by a magnet. These compounds can
be included during or after polymer formation. These substances can
be physically entrapped in, or coated onto, the polymer component.
In one embodiment, one or more paramagnetic compounds are
physically entrapped within the polymer component during
polymerization
[0011] The polymer component may comprise one or more additional
substances. For example, biomolecules, haptens, drugs, poisons,
vitamins, antigens and pathogens can be absorbed, adsorbed or
covalently attached to the polymer component which can, for
example, enhance the polymer component's ability to capture an
analyte. In one embodiment, one or more biomolecules are covalently
attached to the polymer component at some point after the formation
of the polymer component.
[0012] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the
polymers discussed above are readily available from a number of
alternative commercial sources, e.g., Bangs Laboratories, Dynal,
Sperotech, and Polyscience. Commercially available products that
are available from these sources include, among other things,
activated polymers, paramagnetic polymers, activated paramagnetic
polymers, and polymers containing one or more biomolecules. For
example, Bangs Laboraties sells the following products: "plain
(hydrophobic) polystyrene microspheres" of various sizes (catalog
codes PS02N, PS03N, PS04N, PS05N, PS06N, PS07N, PS08N, PS00N);
"carboxylate-modified microspheres" of various sizes (catalog codes
PC02N, PC03N, PC04N, PC05N, PC06N, PC07N, PC08N and PC00N);
"amino-modified microspheres" of various sizes (catalog codes
PA02N, PA03N, PA04N, PA05N, PA06N, and PA00N); "classical magnetic
microspheres" having carboxlic or amino functionality (catalog
codes MC02N, MC03N, MC04N, MC05N, and MC00N); "encapsulated
magnetic microspheres" with carboxylic and amino surface groups
(catalog codes ME01N, ME02N, ME03N, and ME00N); and
"protein-activated" or "protein-coated" mirospheres (catalog codes
CM01N, CM02N, CM03N, CP01N, CP02N and CP03N). Similarly, Dynal
sells Dynabeads.degree., a uniform, superparamagnetic, monodisperse
polymer bead that can be uncoated or precoated with specific
ligands. Dynabeads.RTM. are available in three different diameters,
namely, 1 .mu.m (Dynabeads.RTM. MyOne.TM. Streptavidin), 2.8 .mu.m
(Dynabeads.RTM. M-280 and Dynabeads.RTM. M-270) and 4.5 .mu.m
(Dynabeadsg M-450 and Dynabeads.RTM. M-500).
[0013] The fluorescent polymeric materials additionally comprise
one or more lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes. Rhodamines are a
well-known class of dye characterized by three "main" features: a
parent xanthene ring, an exocyclic amine group and an exocyclic
imminium group. In most rhodamines, the exocyclic amine and
imminium groups are attached to the 3- and 6-carbons of the parent
xanthene ring. However, "extended rhodamines" are known in which
the parent xanthene ring includes a 3,4- and/or a 5,6-benzo
substituent (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884). In such "extended
rhodamines" the exocyclic amine and imminium groups are attached to
any present benzo substituents, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
6,248,884.
[0014] As is well known, the parent xanthene ring of the rhodamines
may be substituted at any and all of the aromatic carbons.
Non-limiting examples of substituent groups that may be included in
rhodamines at these positions include hydrogen, amino, hydroxy,
alkoxy, mercapto, alkylthio, halo, haloalkyl, cyano, isocyano,
cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl,
sulfino, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid, sulfonic ester, substituted and
unsubstituted sulfinamoyl, substituted and unsubstituted sulfamoyl,
aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, amido,
substituted or unsubstituted amidino, alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or
heteroaryl, and arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl. In addition, the
substituents at the 2-, 4-, 5- and/or 7-carbon positions, or the
corresponding portion of an extended rhodamine, may be fused to the
nitrogen atom of their respective adjacent amine or imminium groups
to form rhodamines in which the amine and/or imminium nitrogens are
included in ring structures (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,231,191,
5,410,053, 5,750,409, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379, 6,372,907,
and 6,248,884). Rhodamines may also include benzo, naphtho or other
polycyclic aryleno substituents fused to the 1,2 and/or 7,8
carbons, yielding benzo or naphtho rhodamines (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,840,999, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379 and 6,248,884). The
carbons of such benzo, naphtho or polycyclic aryleno substituents
may be further substituted with, for example, one or more of the
substituent groups described above.
[0015] Rhodamines may also be substituted at the 9-carbon (C-9
position) of the parent xanthene ring. In one class of rhodamines,
the C-9 position is substituted with a phenyl group which may be
further substituted or unsubstituted. Often, such rhodamines
include a carboxylate or sulfonate group on the C-9 phenyl ortho to
its point of attachment to the remainder of the ring. The remaining
groups on the phenyl ring may be further substituted with
substituent groups such as those previously described above. Many
different types of rhodamines of this class are known and described
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,231,191, 5,366,860, 5,410,053,
5,750,409, 5,840,999, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379 and
6,248,884).
[0016] In another class of rhodamines, the 9-carbon is substituted
with a non-aromatic substituent, such as for example a hydrogen,
alkyl, halo, haloalkyl or nitrile group. Rhodamines of this class
are exemplified by the rhodamines described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,008,379 and 6,248,884.
[0017] Any of these rhodamines, if made lipid soluble, can be used
in the fluorescent polymeric materials described herein. The degree
of lipid solubility necessarily varies as a function of the polymer
utilized, the aqueous solvent or solvent system employed in the
assay in which the fluorescent polymeric material is used, and the
conditions (e.g., time, temperature, pressure, pH, etc.) under
which the assay is run. Suitable degrees of lipid solubility are
easily determined by methods known in the art. For example,
suitable lipid solubility can be determined by a partition test
wherein a known quantity of dye in organic solvent is combined with
the aqueous solvent or solvent system used in the assay. If a
partition results and, under the conditions used in the assay,
there is no appreciable crossing by the dye into the solvent or
solvent system, then the dye is sufficiently lipid soluble. Put
another way, the lipid soluble rhodamine dye should be sufficiently
lipid soluble such that it is capable of being imbibed into the
polymer when dissolved in an organic solvent or solvent system and,
when the dyed polymer is subjected to the aquesous conditions of
the assay, the dye should resist leaching out of the polymer to any
degree that significantly impacts the fluorescent signature of the
dye imbibed polymer or the results of the assay.
[0018] Generally, useful lipid-soluble rhodamines are rhodamines
that are substituted at one or both of the exocyclic amine and/or
imminium nitrogens with a lipophilic substituent group designed to
impart the resultant rhodamine dye with lipophilic characteristics
or properties. Thus, useful lipid-soluble rhodamines may include
one or two lipophilic substituents at the exocyclic amine nitrogen
and/or one or two lipophilic substituents at the exocyclic imminium
nitrogen. The lipophilic substituents, whether attached to the same
or different nitrogen atoms, may be the same or different. In one
embodiment, the lipid-soluble rhodamine is a rhodamine in which the
exocyclic amine and exocyclic imminium nitrogens are each
substituted with identical lipophilic groups.
[0019] Lipid-soluble rhodamines may include lipophilic substituents
at other positions, as well. In certain embodiments, it may be
desirable to "mask" polar substituents on a particular rhodamine
with lipophilic substituent, groups to alter the lipid-solublity of
the resultant rhodamine. For example, rhodamines which include a
C-9 phenyl substituted at the ortho position with a carboxylate or
sulfonate group may be reacted with a lipophilic alcohol or amine,
such as an alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl alcohol or amine, to yield an
ortho ester or amide that contributes to the net lipophilic
properties of the resultant rhodamine dye.
[0020] Lipophilic substituents are groups that impart the resultant
rhodamine dye with lipophilic character or properties as denoted
above. The nature of each lipophilic substituent is not critical,
as long as the resultant rhodamine dye is lipid soluble.
Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic substituents include
unsubstitued (C4-C20) alkyls, (C5-C40) aryls, and (C6-C40)
arylalkyls. Depending on the number of methylene and methine units
in the lipophilic substituent, the lipophilic substituent may also
include pendant or internal hydrophilic groups. For example, a
lipophilic substitutent may include one or more internal
heteroatoms, such as one or more internal O, S, N or NH groups. As
another example, a lipophilic substituent may include one or more
pendant polar or hydrophilic substituents, such as one or more
pendant halogen, --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2, --C(O)OH, --C(O)NH.sub.2
or other polar or hydrophilic groups. Thus, lipophilic substituents
may also include substituted (C4-C20) alkyl, substituted (C5-C40)
aryls and substituted (C6-C40) arylalkyls, as well as substituted
and unsubstituted (C4-C20) heteroalkyl, substituted and
unsubstituted (C5-C40) heteroaryls and substituted and
unsubstituted (C6-C40) arylalkyls. As a specific example, if the
rhodamine contains a C-9 phenyl ring, (C10-20) alkyl esters and
alkyl amides are often employed in one or both of the positions
ortho to the point of the phenyl ring's attachment. The number of
internal or pendant polar or hydrophilic groups that may be
included in a lipophilic substituent will depend upon, among other
factors, the number of methylene or methine groups included in the
lipophilic substitutent and the number of lipophilic substituents
on the rhodamine dye. The nature and number of lipophilic groups
necessary to make a rhodamine lipid soluble can vary from molecule
to molecule, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0021] In one embodiment, the lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes useful
in the fluorescent polymeric materials include any lipid-soluble
dye comprising one of the following "core" structures: 1
[0022] where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7',
R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14
and R.sup.15 are selected from hydrogen or the same or different
substituent groups, at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6" is a lipophilic substituent, and R.sup.9 in structure
(II) is a nonaromatic substituent. In one embodiment, all of the
substituents, whether they represent R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.2',
R.sup.3', R.sup.3", , R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5,
R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 or R.sup.15, contain no more than 40
atoms. In another embodiment, the substituent groups at one or more
of R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5,
R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13,
R.sup.14, and R.sup.15 are selected to "tune" the spectral features
of the lipid-soluble rhodamine dye. Usually, for steric reasons,
R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 in structures (I), (III) and (IV) are not
simultaneously pendant or fused benzo, naphtho or polycyclic
aryleno rings.
[0023] In embodiments in which the lipid-soluble rhodamine dye is
attached to the polymer via a covalent linkage, one or more of
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.7, R.sup.8,
R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 may comprise a
linking group suitable for effecting such covalent attachment. The
linking group(s) may be attached directly to the remainder of the
molecule, or may be spaced away from the molecule via a linker or
spacer, as is well known in the art.
[0024] It has been discovered that certain types of C-9 phenyl
substituted lipid soluble rhodamines have especially good
fluorescent properties. These lipid soluble rhodamines depart from
known C-9 phenyl substituted rhodamines in many ways, including the
fact that they do not possess an ortho carboxylic acid or an ortho
sulfonic acid moiety, or an amide, acid halide or salt derivative
thereof. Often these lipid soluble rhodamines have symmetrical
substitutions on the C-9 phenyl ring. In one embodiment, these
lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise one of core structures (I),
(III), and (IV) above where at least one of R.sup.11 and R.sup.15
are selected, independently of one another, from (C1-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl, (C1-C20) alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino,
mercapto, (C1-C20) alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato,
mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and
sulfino, and the remainder of R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are
selected, independently of one another, from hydrogen, (C1-C20)
alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20) alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl,
amino, mercapto, (C1-C20) alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato,
mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and
sulfino. Alternatively, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each the same
substituent selected from (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20)
alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, (C1-C20)
alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso,
nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino, and the remainder of
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are selected, independently of one
another, from hydrogen, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20)
alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, (C1-C20)
alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso,
nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In yet another
embodiment, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each the same substituent as
just described and R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are either
unsubstituted or substituted in the same manner as R.sup.11 and
R.sup.15. In still another embodiment, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are
each the same halo group, such as chlorine or fluorine, and
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each hydrogen or the same halo
group selected for R.sup.11 and R.sup.15.
[0025] The lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be part of an energy
transfer ("ET") network comprising, for example, two to four dyes
covalently attached to one another that transfer energy to generate
a longer Stoke's shift. One example of an ET network would be a
fluorescence resonance energy transfer ("FRET") dye. In other
words, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be part of series of
dyes that are covalently attached to one another wherein at least
one of the dyes is a lipid soluble rhodamine. Linkages for
covalently attaching rhodamine dyes to other dyes are known in the
art, as are suitable locations for attachment to the rhodamine dyes
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,800,996 and 5,863,727). In one
embodiment, each dye in the energy transfer network is within 5 to
100 .ANG. of the neighboring dye or dyes in the network to which it
is covalently attached. In such embodiments, the lipid soluble
rhodamine dye can be the donor, acceptor, or an intermediate dye in
the network.
[0026] The lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be used alone or in
combination with one another. In addition, the lipid soluble
rhodamine dyes may be used in combination with any other class of
dye capable of fluorescing in the polymer employed. In one
embodiment where the dyes are used in combination, the dyes are
selected to impart the polymer material with a unique spectral
signature or "bar code."
[0027] The aforementioned dyes are either imbibed into, or
covalently bound to, the polymer. In one embodiment, the dyes are
imbibed into the polymer without covalent attachment by introducing
the dyes to the polymer in an organic solvent.
[0028] The fluorescent polymeric materials are useful in a wide
variety of applications. For example, the fluorescent polymeric
materials may be used as reference standards for fluorescence-based
instruments, as biological tracers and in the detection and/or
analysis of biological molecules. Numerous biological assays are
known that employ biological or other molecules attached to solid
supports. The fluorescent polymeric materials may be used as the
solid support in any of these assays.
[0029] As a specific example, the fluorescent polymeric materials
are especially beneficial in the formation of multicolored
particles for use in multiplexed analysis of a plurality of
analytes in a single assay. For example, a first polymeric particle
or population of polymeric particles may be dyed with one or more
fluorescent dyes, at least one of which is a lipid-soluble
rhodamine dye as described above, at specified concentrations and
ratios to create a first particle or particle population having a
unique, discemable, fluorescence signature or "bar, code." The
first particle or particle population can then be modified to have
a specific reactivity with one or more analytes. For example, the
particle or particle population can be covalently attached to a
molecule of interest, such as a potential drug candidate or a
biological molecule such as an amino acid, a peptide, a protein, a
nucleoside or nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, a
carbohydrate or other molecule of interest. As specific examples,
the first particle or particle population can be attached to an
oligonucleotide which specifically hybridizes to a polynucleotide
sequence of interest or, alternatively, to a peptide known or
thought to inhibit an enzyme of interest. Thus, following
modification, the spectral "bar code" of the first particle or
first particle population corresponds to or correlates with the
specific reactivity of the particle or particle population. In
connection with the specific examples, the spectral "bar code" of
the first particle or particle population corresponds to or
correlates with the identity of the molecule of interest bound
thereto.
[0030] The first particle or particle population may then be mixed
with one or more additional particles or particle populations, each
of which has a different, spectrally resolvable or discernable "bar
code" due to differences in the identities, concentrations and/or
ratios of the fluorescent dyes therein, and which correlate with
different know reactivities. This forms a multicolored particle
mixture in which the spectral "bar code" of a particular particle
identifies the reactivity of the particle.
[0031] Depending upon the particular application, the particle
mixture may be contacted with one or more analytes under conditions
in which the analytes can interact with the particles. The analytes
are typically molecules that are potentially capable of
specifically binding the molecules attached to the particles. The
analyte may be labeled with a fluorescent reporter dye that is
spectrally resolvable from the "bar codes" of the particles. For
example, if the bar code dyes emit in the red region of the
spectrum, the analyte may be labeled with a fluorescent dye that
emits in the green region of the spectrum. Alternatively, the
analyte may be unlabeled, or modified to include a recognition
moiety recognized by another molecule (e.g., biotin or an antibody
epitope) and the fluorescent reporter dye attached to a secondary
molecule that specifically recognizes the analyte, the bound
analyte or the recognition moiety. Following contact and washing to
remove unbound analyte and/or secondary molecule, fluorescence from
the reporter dye identifies the presence of bound analyte on
particular particles. The fluorescent bar codes of these particles
identifies their specific reactivities. In connection with the
specific examples, the fluorescent bar code of a particular
particle identifies the molecule bound thereto.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a first illustrative synthesis for the formation
of one type of lipid soluble rhodamine dye.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a second illustrative synthesis for the formation
of a second type of lipid soluble rhodamine dye.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a third illustrative synthesis for the formation
of a third type of lipid soluble rhodamine dye.
[0035] FIG. 4 provides a graph of normalized intensity versus
wavelength for exemplary fluorescent dye imbibed beads.
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] 5.1 Numbering System
[0037] For the purposes of the present application, carbon atoms in
the parent rhodamine rings, or extended versions thereof, are
numbered in the manner illustrated below: 2
[0038] 5.2 Definitions
[0039] As used herein, the following terms are intended to have the
following meanings:
[0040] "Fluorescent Dye" or "Fluorescer" or "Fluorochrome" or
"Fluorophore" as used interchangeably herein refer to molecules
that absorb electromagnetic radiation at one wavelength and emit
electromagnetic radiation at another wavelength in passing from a
higher to a lower electronic state.
[0041] "Rhodamine" refers to any compound that comprises a parent
rhodamine ring or an extended rhodamine ring, as set forth above,
including any substituted versions of the same, wherein
substitutions can be made at any one or all of the 1-, 2-, 2'-, 4-,
4'-, 5'-, 5-, 7'-, 8- and 9-carbons and/or at any one or both of
the exocyclic amino and imino nitrogens.
[0042] "Polymer," as used herein, refers not only to homopolymers
but also to copolymers, terpolymers, and the like, whether branched
or linear and whether crosslinked or uncrosslinked.
[0043] "Poly-," when used as a prefix in the name of a polymer,
refers to a polymer made up in the majority of the monomer or
monomers that follow the prefix.
[0044] "Particles" as used herein refers to solid masses that are
spherical or irregular in shape.
[0045] "Particle size" or "Particle Diameter" as used
interchangeably herein refers to mean particle diameter. As known
in the art, there are many methods for measuring particle size
including sieving, centrifugation, light scattering, image
analysis, electrozone sensing, and x-ray scattering. Each method
can produce different results. Accordingly, whenever a particle
size range is specified in this description it refers to a particle
size as measured by light scattering.
[0046] "Microparticles" as used herein refer to particles having a
particle size anywhere between 0.01 to 1000 micrometers as measured
by light scattering.
[0047] "Biomolecule" as used herein refers to a molecule of a type
typically found in a biological system, whether such molecule is
naturally occurring or the result of some external disturbance of
the system (e.g., a disease, poisoning, genetic manipulation,
etc.), as well as synthetic analogs and derivatives thereof.
Non-limiting examples of biomolecules include amino acids
(naturally occurring or synthetic), peptides, polypeptides,
glycosylated and unglycosylated proteins (e.g., polyclonal and
monoclonal antibodies, receptors, interferons, enzymes, etc.),
nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides (e.g., DNA, RNA, PNA
oligos), polynucleotides (e.g., DNA, cDNA, RNA, etc.),
carbohydrates, hormones, haptens, steroids, toxins, etc.
Biomolecules may be isolated from natural sources, or they may be
synthetic.
[0048] "Analyte" is a molecule or substance to be measured or
assayed. Depending on the nature of the assay, an analyte can be
either a molecule or a substance attached to the polymer or a
molecule or substance in solution.
[0049] "Alkyl" by itself or as part of another substituent refers
to a saturated or unsaturated branched, straight-chain or cyclic
monovalent hydrocarbon radical having the stated number of carbon
atoms (i.e., C1-C6 means one to six carbon atoms) that is derived
by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a
parent alkane, alkene or alkyne. Typical alkyl groups include, but
are not limited to, methyl; ethyls such as ethanyl, ethenyl,
ethynyl; propyls such as propan-1-yl, propan-2-yl,
cyclopropan-1-yl, prop-1-en-1-yl, prop-1-en-2-yl, prop-2-en-1-yl,
cycloprop-1-en-1-yl; cycloprop-2-en-1-yl, prop-1-yn-1-yl,
prop-2-yn-1-yl, etc.; butyls such as butan-1-yl, butan-2-yl,
2-methyl-propan-1-yl, 2-methyl-propan-2-yl, cyclobutan-1-yl,
but-1-en-1-yl, but-1-en-2-yl, 2-methyl-prop-1-en-1-yl,
but-2-en-1-yl, but-2-en-2-yl, buta-1,3-dien-1-yl,
buta-1,3-dien-2-yl, cyclobut-1-en-1-yl, cyclobut-1-en-3-yl,
cyclobuta-1,3-dien-1-yl, but-1-yn-1-yl, but-1-yn-3-yl,
but-3-yn-1-yl, etc.; and the like. Where specific levels of
saturation are intended, the nomenclature "alkanyl," "alkenyl"
and/or "alkynyl" is used, as defined below. In preferred
embodiments, the alkyl groups are (C1-C20) alkyl.
[0050] "Heteroalkyl," by itself or as part of another substituent
refers to an alkyl in which one or more of the carbon atoms are
each independently replaced with the same or different heteratoms
or heteroatomic groups. Typical heteroatoms and/or heteroatomic
groups which can replace the carbon atoms include, but are not
limited to, --O--, --S--, --S--O--, --NR.sup.m--, --P(O)O--,
--S(O)--, --S(O).sub.2--, --S(O) NR.sup.m--,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.m--, and the like, including combinations
thereof, where each R.sup.m is independently hydrogen or (C1-C6)
alkyl.
[0051] "Aryl" by itself or as part of another substituent refers to
a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having the stated number of
carbon atoms (i.e., C5-C15 means from 5 to 15 carbon atoms) derived
by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a
parent aromatic ring system. Typical aryl groups include, but are
not limited to, groups derived from aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene,
acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene,
coronene, fluoranthene, fluorene, hexacene, hexaphene, hexalene,
as-indacene, s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, octacene,
octaphene, octalene, ovalene, penta-2,4-diene, pentacene,
pentalene, pentaphene, perylene, phenalene, phenanthrene, picene,
pleiadene, pyrene, pyranthrene, rubicene, triphenylene,
trinaphthalene, and the like, as well as the various hydro isomers
thereof. In preferred embodiments, the aryl group is (C5-C15) aryl,
with (C5-C10) being even more preferred. Particularly preferred
aryls are phenyl and naphthyl.
[0052] "Arylaryl" by itself or as part of another substituent
refers to a monovalent hydrocarbon group derived by the removal of
one hydrogen atom from a single carbon atom of a ring system in
which two or more identical or non-identical parent aromatic ring
systems are joined directly together by a single bond, where the
number of such direct ring junctions is one less than the number of
parent aromatic ring systems involved. Typical arylaryl groups
include, but are not limited to, biphenyl, triphenyl,
phenyl-naphthyl, binaphthyl, biphenyl-naphthyl, and the like. Where
the number of carbon atoms in an arylaryl group are specified, the
numbers refer to the carbon atoms comprising each parent aromatic
ring. For example, (C5-C15) arylaryl is an arylaryl group in which
each aromatic ring comprises from 5 to 15 carbons, e.g., biphenyl,
triphenyl,.binaphthyl, phenylnaphthyl, etc. Preferably, each parent
aromatic ring system of an arylaryl group is independently a
(C5-C15) aromatic, more preferably a (C5-C10) aromatic. Also
preferred are arylaryl groups in which all of the parent aromatic
ring systems are identical, e.g., biphenyl, triphenyl, binaphthyl,
trinaphthyl, etc.
[0053] "Arylalkyl" by itself or as part of another substituent
refers to an acyclic alkyl group in which one of the hydrogen atoms
bonded to a carbon atom, typically a terminal or sp.sup.3 carbon
atom, is replaced with an aryl group. Typical arylalkyl groups
include, but are not limited to, benzyl, 2-phenylethan-1-yl,
2-phenylethen-1-yl, naphthylmethyl, 2-naphthylethan-1-yl,
2-naphthylethen-1-yl, naphthobenzyl, 2-naphthophenylethan-1-yl and
the like. Where specific alkyl moieties are intended, the
nomenclature arylalkanyl, arylakenyl and/or arylalkynyl is used. In
preferred embodiments, the arylalkyl group is (C6-C21) arylalkyl,
e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety of the arylalkyl group
is (C1-C6) and the aryl moiety is (C5-C15). In particularly
preferred embodiments the arylalkyl group is (C6-C13), e.g., the
alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety of the arylalkyl group is
(C1-C3) and the aryl moiety is (C5-C10).
[0054] "Heteroaryl" by itself or as part of another substituent
refers to a monovalent heteroaromatic group having the stated
number of ring atoms (e.g. "5-14 membered" means from 5 to 14 ring
atoms) derived by the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single
atom of a parent heteroaromatic ring system. Typical heteroaryl
groups include, but are not limited to, groups derived from
acridine, benzimidazole, benzisoxazole, benzodioxan, benzodiaxole,
benzo furan, benzopyrone, benzothiadiazole, benzothiazole,
benzotriazole, benzoxazine, benzoxazole, benzoxazoline, carbazole,
.beta.-carboline, chromane, chromene, cinnoline, furan, imidazole,
indazole, indole, indoline, indolizine, isobenzofuran, isochromene,
isoindole, isoindoline, isoquinoline, isothiazole, isoxazole,
naphthyridine, oxadiazole, oxazole, perimidine, phenanthridine,
phenanthroline, phenazine, phthalazine, pteridine, purine, pyran,
pyrazine, pyrazole, pyridazine, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrrole,
pyrrolizine, quinazoline, quinoline, quinolizine, quinoxaline,
tetrazole, thiadiazole, thiazole, thiophene, triazole, xanthene,
and the like, as well as the various hydro isomers thereof. In
preferred embodiments, the heteroaryl group is a 5-14 membered
heteroaryl, with 5-10 membered heteroaryl being particularly
preferred.
[0055] "Heteroaryl-Heteroaryl" by itself or as part of another
substituent refers to a monovalent heteroaromatic group derived by
the removal of one hydrogen atom from a single atom of a ring
system in which two or more identical or non-identical parent
heteroaromatic ring systems are joined directly together by a
single bond, where the number of such direct ring junctions is one
less than the number of parent heteroaromatic ring systems
involved. Typical heteroaryl-heteroaryl groups include, but are not
limited to, bipyridyl, tripyridyl, pyridylpurinyl, bipurinyl, etc.
Where the number of atoms are specified, the numbers refer to the
number of atoms comprising each parent heteroaromatic ring systems.
For example, 5-15 membered heteroaryl-heteroaryl is a
heteroaryl-heteroaryl group in which each parent heteroaromatic
ring system comprises from 5 to 15 atoms, e.g., bipyridyl,
tripuridyl, etc. Preferably, each parent heteroaromatic ring system
is independently a 5-15 membered heteroaromatic, more preferably a
5-10 membered heteroaromatic. Also preferred are
heteroaryl-heteroaryl groups in which all of the parent
heteroaromatic ring systems are identical.
[0056] "Heteroarylalkyl" by itself or as part of another
substituent refers to an acyclic alkyl group in which one of the
hydrogen atoms bonded to a carbon atom, typically a terminal or
sp.sup.3 carbon atom, is replaced with a heteroaryl group. Where
specific alkyl moieties are intended, the nomenclature
heteroarylalkanyl, heteroarylakenyl and/or heteroarylalkynyl is
used. In preferred embodiments, the heteroarylalkyl group is a 6-21
membered heteroarylalkyl, e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl
moiety of the heteroarylalkyl is (C1-C6) alkyl and the heteroaryl
moiety is a 5-15-membered heteroaryl. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the heteroarylalkyl is a 6-13 membered
heteroarylalkyl, e.g., the alkanyl, alkenyl or alkynyl moiety is
(C1-C3) alkyl and the heteroaryl moiety is a 5-10 membered
heteroaryl.
[0057] "Halogen" or "Halo" by themselves or as part of another
substituent, unless otherwise stated, refer to fluoro, chloro,
bromo and iodo.
[0058] "Haloalkyl" by itself or as part of another substituent
refers to an alkyl group in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms
is replaced with a halogen. Thus, the term "haloalkyl" is meant to
include monohaloalkyls, dihaloalkyls, trihaloalkyls, etc. up to
perhaloalkyls. For example, the expression "(C1-C2) haloalkyl"
includes 1-fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl,
1-fluoroethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, 1,2-difluoroethyl,
1,1,1-trifluoroethyl, perfluoroethyl, etc.
[0059] The above-defined groups may include prefixes and/or
suffixes that are commonly used in the art to create additional
well-recognized substituent groups. As examples, "alkyloxy" or
"alkoxy" refers to a group of the formula --OR.sup.n, "alkylamine"
refers to a group of the formula --NHR.sup.n and "dialkylamine"
refers to a group of the formula --NR.sup.nR.sup.n, where each
R.sup.n is independently an alkyl. As another example, "haloalkoxy"
or "haloalkyloxy" refers to a group of the formula --OR.sup.p,
where R.sup.p is a haloalkyl.
[0060] 5.3 The Components Generally
[0061] The present invention provides new types of fluorescent
polymeric materials. The fluorescent polymeric materials comprise a
polymer that is either imbibed with, or covalently attached to, one
or more lipid soluble rhodamine dyes and, optionally, one or more
additional dyes. The polymer may be activated to include functional
groups suitable for attaching another substance such as a
biomolecule. Alternatively, the polymer component may include
precursors of such functional groups that can be modified or
transformed into such groups via chemical or other means.
[0062] The fluorescent polymeric materials can also include one or
more other substances, such as biomolecules, haptens, drugs,
poisons, vitamins, antigens and pathogens, that are absorbed,
adsorbed or covalently attached to the polymer. These substances
can be added, for example, to enhance the polymer component's
ability to capture an analyte. Additional substances that may be
part of the fluorescent polymeric materials include compounds that
assist in the manipulation of the fluorescent polymeric material.
For example, paranmagnetic compounds can be included that permit
the fluorescent polymeric material to be collected by a magnet. All
of these substances can be physically entrapped within, imbibed
into, covalently attached to, or coated onto the polymer
component.
[0063] 5.4 The Polymer Component
[0064] The polymer component may be any polymer that can be
dissolved in, or made to swell in, an organic solvent or solvent
system that is used to dissolve a lipid soluble rhodamine dye.
Illustrative organic solvents include ethyl acetate and/or
dichloromethane. In one embodiment, the polymer component is
sufficiently hydrophobic that it also shrinks in alcoholic solvent,
e.g., isopropanol. This assists, for example, in entrapping
previously imbibed lipid soluble rhodamine dyes.
[0065] Non-limiting examples of polymer components useful in the
fluorescent polymeric materials of the instant invention are
polymers polymerized from substituted or unsubstituted versions of
the following monomers: styrene; acrylate; alkyl acrylate;
methacrylate; alkyl methacrylate; acrylonitrile; alkyl
acrylonitrile; esters; acetates; amides; alcohols; acrolein;
dimethylsiloxane, butadiene, isoprene, urethane, vinylacetate,
vinylchloride, vinylpyridine, vinylbenzylchloride; vinyltoluene;
vinylidene chloride; and mixtures thereof. Specific non-limiting
examples of suitable polymers include polystyrene, brominated
polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(acrylonitrile),
polyacrolein, poly(dimethyl siloxane), polybutadiene, polyisoprene,
polyurethane, poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl
pyridine), poly(vinyl benzylchloride), poly(vinyl toluene),
poly(vinylidene chloride) and poly(divinyl benzene). Other suitable
polymers are known in the art and disclosed, for instance, in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,268,222, which is incorporated herein by reference. In
one embodiment of the invention, the polymer is a polystyrene
homopolymer or a copolymer of styrene polymerized with one or more
other monomers, such as acrylic acid.
[0066] The polymer can be crosslinked or uncrosslinked. The
identity and amount, of crossliking agents that can be employed
varies based on the selection of the particular polymer in a manner
that is readily evident to those skilled in the art. Crosslinking
agents are generally used in amounts ranging from about 0.01 to
about 50 percent by weight of the polymer. In one embodiment,
crosslinking agents are employed in amounts ranging from 0.05 to 20
percent by weight of the polymer. In another embodiment,
crosslinking agents are employed in amounts ranging from 1 to 5
percent by weight of the polymer. The more crosslinking agent
utilized, the less the polymer is able to swell. Illustrative
non-limiting examples of suitable crosslinking agents include
divinyl benzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, trimethylol
propane trimethacrylate, and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide, and the
like. Basically, any polyfunctional reactive agent can be utilized
as a crosslinking agent.
[0067] In one embodiment, the polymer is a hydrophobic copolymer of
styrene, acrylic acid, and a polyvinyl crosslinking agent.
Non-limiting examples of such polymers include those polymerized
from 85% or more styrene, 0.01 to 15% acrylic acid, and 0.01 to 5%
polyvinyl crosslinking agent. Illustrative copolymers are
styrene-acrylic acid-divinyl benzene (89:10:1 molar ratio).
[0068] The polymer may take on virtually any shape or form, ranging
from amorphous forms to structured forms like sheets, discs,
pellets, beads, etc. In one embodiment, the polymer forms
particles, and ideally microparticles, which substantially retain
their shape in aqueous solvent so that they are useful in
biological assays. By microparticles it is meant that the particles
have a mean diameter ranging from about 0.01 to about 1000
micrometers. Although the microparticles can have any particle size
within this range, in one embodiment the particles range in size
from about 0.1 to about 500 micrometers. Alternatively, the
particles may range in size from about 1 to about 200 micrometers.
In another embodiment the particles range in size from about 1 to
about 12 micrometers. In yet another embodiment, the particle size
is from about 1 to about 5 micrometers. The polymer particles may
be uniform or of variable size and shape. Preferably, the polymer
particles are roughly spherical and of a generally uniform
diameter.
[0069] Optionally, the polymer component can be "activated" to
include a reactive functionality (e.g., NHS-ester) capable of
forming a chemical attachment to another substance. Alternatively,
the polymer component can be "activated" to include groups that
have a functionality (e.g., carboxylic acid) that are known
precursors to reactive functionalities capable of forming a
chemical attachment to another substance. Non-limiting examples of
other substances for attachment include biomolecules, drugs,
poisons, vitamins, antigens and pathogens. Activation can be
accomplished either by copolymerizing or grafting functional
monomers into the polymer during polymer formation or by chemically
modifying the polymer after formation. The reactive groups may be
nucleophilic and/or electrophilic functional groups. Non-limiting
examples of suitable nucleophilic reactive groups include any one
or a combination of the following: amines/anilines;
alcohols/phenols; thiols; hydrazines; and hydroxylamines.
Non-limiting examples of suitable electrophilic reactive groups
include any one or a combination of the following:
pentafluorophenyl ester; NHS-ester; acrylamides; acyl azides; acyl
halides; acyl nitriles; aldehydes or ketones; alkyl halides; alkyl
sulfonates; anhydrides; aryl halides; aziridines; boronates;
carboxylic acids; carbodiimides; diazoalkenes; epoxides;
haloacetamides; halotriazines; imido esters; isocyanates;
isothiocyanates; maleimides; phorphoramidites; silyl halides;
sulfonate esters; and sulfonyl halides.
[0070] The identity of any particular activating group will depend
upon the particular application, for example upon the identity of
the molecules to be attached thereto, and will be apparent to those
of skill in the art. For example, polymers activated with carboxyl
groups are especially suitable for attachment to the primary amine
groups of proteins or amine-modified oligonucleotides. Such
carboxyl groups can be introduced into the polymer chain through
reactive comonomers such as (meth)acrylic acid. In addition,
polymers containing groups such as diamines, dihydrazides,
mercaptoalkylamines and dimercaptans are useful for attaching
various drugs or enzymes.
[0071] The nature of the active groups can be selected to
manipulate various characteristics of the polymer surface. For
example, if desired, active groups can be selected to make the
polymer surface more hydrophilic.
[0072] As will be further detailed, the polymer can include
paramagnetic compounds such as magnetite (Fe.sub.3O.sub.4). These
compounds can be coated onto the polymer surface during or after
formation and/or entrapped into the polymer during polymerization.
For example, one method of incorporating paramagnetic compounds
into the polymer is to form a core of a core shell polymer, coat
the core with a paramagnetic compound, and then form the shell of
the core shell polymer over the paramagnetic compound, thereby
entrapping the paramagnetic compound within the finished
polymer.
[0073] As will also be further detailed, the polymer component can
comprise one or more additional substances. For example,
biomolecules, haptens, drugs, poisons, vitamins, antigens and
pathogens can be absorbed, adsorbed or covalently attached to the
polymer component which can, for example, enhance the polymer
component's ability to capture an analyte. In one embodiment, one
or more of biomolecules are covalently attached to the polymer
component at some point after the formation of the polymer
component.
[0074] It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the
polymers discussed above are readily available from a number of
alternative commercial sources, e.g., Bangs Laboratories, Dynal,
Sperotech, and Polyscience. Commercially available products that
are available from these sources include, among others, activated
polymers, paramagnetic polymers, activated paramagnetic polymers,
and polymers containing one or more biomolecules. For example,
Bangs Laboraties sells the following products: "plain (hydrophobic)
polystyrene microspheres" of various sizes (catalog codes PS02N,
PS03N, PS04N, PS05N, PS06N, PS07N, PS08N, PS00N);
"carboxylate-modified microspheres" of various sizes (catalog codes
PC02N, PC03N, PC04N, PC05N, PC06N, PC07N, PC08N and PC00N);
"amino-modified microspheres" of various sizes (catalog codes
PA02N, PA03N, PA04N, PA05N, PA06N, and PA00N); "classical magnetic
microspheres" having carboxlic or amino functionality (catalog
codes MC02N, MC03N, MC04N, MC05N, and MC00N); "encapsulated
magnetic microspheres" with carboxylic and amino surface groups
(catalog codes ME01N, ME02N, ME03N, and ME00N); and
"protein-activated" or "protein-coated" mirospheres (catalog codes
CM01N, CM02N, CM03N, CP01N, CP02N and CP03N). Similarly, Dynal
sells Dynabeads.RTM., a uniform, superparamagnetic, monodisperse
polymer bead that can be uncoated or precoated with specific
ligands. Dynabeads.RTM. are available in three different diameters,
namely, 1 .mu.m (Dynabeads.RTM. MyOne.TM. Streptavidin), 2.8 .mu.m
(Dynabeads.RTM. M-280 and Dynabeads.RTM. M-270) and 4.5 .mu.m
(Dynabeads.RTM. M-450 and Dynabeads.RTM. M-500).
[0075] 5.5 Lipid Soluble Rhodamine Dyes Generally
[0076] The polymer component is imbibed or swelled with, or
dissolved in, a solution of one or more lipid soluble rhodamine
dyes and, optionally, one or more additional dyes. Alternatively,
the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes can be covalently attached to the
polymer.
[0077] Rhodamines are a well-known class of dye characterized by
three "main" features: a parent xanthene ring, an exocyclic amine
group and an exocyclic imminium group. In most rhodamines, the
exocyclic amine and imminium groups are attached to the 3- and
6-carbons of the parent xanthene ring. However, "extended
rhodamines" are known in which the parent xanthene ring includes a
3,4- and/or a 5,6-benzo substituent. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No.
6,248,884 is hereby incorporated by reference. In such "extended
rhodamines" the exocyclic amine and imminium groups are attached to
any present 3,4- and/or 5,6-benzo substituents.
[0078] The parent xanthene ring of the rhodamines may be
substituted at the 1-, 2-, 2'-, 4-, 4'-, 5-, 5'-, 7-, 7'- and
8-carbon positions. Non-limiting examples of substituent groups
that may be included in rhodamines at these positions include
hydrogen, amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, mercapto, alkylthio, halo,
haloalkyl, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso,
nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, sulfino, sulfonyl, sulfonic acid,
sulfonic ester, substituted and unsubstituted sulfinamoyl,
substituted and unsubstituted sulfamoyl, aldehydes, ketones,
carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid ester, amido, substituted or
unsubstituted amidino, alkyl or heteroalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl,
and arylalkyl or heteroarylallyl.
[0079] In addition, the substituents at the 2- or 2'-, 4-, 5-
and/or 7- or 7'-carbon positions may be fused to the nitrogen atom
of their respective adjacent amine or imminium groups to form
rhodamines in which the amine and/or imminium nitrogens are
included in ring structures. In this regard, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,231,191, 5,410,053, 5,750,409, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379,
6,372,907, and 6,248,884 are hereby incorporated by reference.
Rhodamines may also include benzo, naphtho or other polycyclic
aryleno substituents fused to the 1,2 and/or 7,8 carbons, yielding
benzo or naphtho rhodamines. In this regard, U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,840,999, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379 and 6,248,884 are hereby
incorporated by reference. The carbons of such benzo, naphtho or
polycyclic aryleno substituents may be further substituted with,
for example, one or more of the substituent groups described
above.
[0080] Rhodamines may also be substituted at the 9-carbon (C-9
position) of the parent xanthene ring. In one class of rhodamines,
the C-9 position is substituted with a phenyl group which may be
further substituted or unsubstituted. Often, such rhodamines
include a carboxylate or sulfonate group positioned ortho to the
point of attachment. The remaining groups on the phenyl ring may be
unsubstituted or substituted with substituent groups such as those
previously described above. Rhodamines of this class are known and
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,231,191, 5,366,860, 5,410,053,
5,750,409, 5,840,999, 5,847,162, 5,936,087, 6,008,379 and
6,248,884, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0081] In another class of rhodamines, the C-9 position is
substituted with a non-aromatic substituent, such as a hydrogen,
alkyl, halo, haloalkyl or nitrile group. Rhodamines of this class
are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,379 and 6,248,884, both of
which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0082] Any of these rhodamines, if made lipid soluble, can be used
in the fluorescent polymeric materials described herein. The degree
of lipid solubility necessarily varies as a function of the polymer
utilized, the aqueous solvent or solvent system employed in the
assay in which the fluorescent polymeric material will be used, and
the conditions (e.g., time, temperature, pressure, pH, etc.) under
which the assay is run. Suitable degrees of lipid solubility are
easily determined by methods known in the art. For example,
suitable lipid solubility can be determined by a partition test
wherein a known quantity of the dye in organic solvent is combined
with the solvent or solvent system used in the assay. If a
partition results and, under the conditions used in the assay,
there is no appreciable crossing by the dye into the solvent or
solvent system, then the dye is sufficiently lipid soluble. Put
another way, the lipid soluble rhodamine dye should be sufficiently
lipid soluble such that it is capable of being imbibed into the
polymer when dissolved in an organic solvent or solvent system and,
when the dyed polymer is subjected to the aqueous conditions of the
assay, the dye should resist leaching out of the polymer to any
degree that significantly impacts the fluorescent signature of the
dye imbibed polymer or the results of the assay.
[0083] Generally, useful lipid-soluble rhodamines are rhodamines
that are substituted at one or both of the exocyclic amine and/or
imminium nitrogens with a lipophilic substituent group designed to
impart the resultant rhodamine dye with lipophilic characteristics
or properties. Thus, useful lipid-soluble rhodamines may include
one or two lipophilic substituents at the exocyclic amine nitrogen
and/or one or two lipophilic substituents at the exocyclic imminium
nitrogen. The lipophilic substituents, whether attached to the same
or different nitrogen atoms, may be the same or different. In one
embodiment, the lipid-soluble rhodamine is a rhodamine in which the
exocyclic amine and exocyclic imminium nitrogens are each
substituted with identical lipophilic groups.
[0084] Lipid-soluble rhodamines may include lipophilic
substitutents at other positions, as well. In certain embodiments,
it may be desirable to "mask" polar substituents on a particular
rhodamine with lipophilic substituent groups to alter the
lipid-solublity of the resultant rhodamine. For example, rhodamines
which include a C-9 phenyl substituted at the ortho position with a
carboxylate or sulfonate group may be reacted with a lipophilic
alcohol or amine, such as an alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl alcohol or
amine, to yield an ortho ester or amide that contributes to the net
lipophilic properties of the resultant rhodamine dye.
[0085] Lipophilic substituents are groups that impart the resultant
rhodamine dye with lipophilic character or properties as denoted
above. The nature of each lipophilic substituent is not critical,
as long as the resultant rhodamine dye is lipid soluble.
Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic substituents include
unsubstitued (C4-C20) alkyls, (C5-C40) aryls, and (C6-C40)
arylalkyls. Depending on the number of methylene and methine units
in the lipophilic substituent, the lipophilic substituent may also
include pendant or internal hydrophilic groups. For example, a
lipophilic substitutent may include one or more internal
heteroatoms, such as one or more internal O, S, N or NH groups. As
another example, a lipophilic substituent may include one or more
pendant polar or hydrophilic substituents, such as one or more
pendant halogen, --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2, --C(O)OH, --C(O)NH.sub.2
or other polar or hydrophilic groups. Thus, lipophilic substituents
may also include substituted (C4-C20) alkyl, substituted (C5-C40)
aryls and substituted (C6-C40) arylalkyls, as well as substituted
and unsubstituted (C4-C20) heteroalkyl, substituted and
unsubstituted (C5-C40) heteroaryls and substituted and
unsubstituted (C6-C40) arylalkyls. As a specific example, if the
rhodamine contains a C-9 phenyl ring, (C10-20) alkyl esters and
alkyl amides are often employed in one or both of the positions
ortho to the point of the phenyl ring's; attachment. The number of
internal or pendant polar or hydrophilic groups that may be
included in a lipophilic substituent will depend upon, among other
factors, the number of methylene or methine groups included in the
lipophilic substitutent and the number of lipophilic substituents
on the rhodamine dye. The nature and number of lipophilic groups
necessary to make a rhodamine lipid soluble can vary from molecule
to molecule, and will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
[0086] In one embodiment, lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes useful in
the fluorescent polymeric materials of the invention comprise one
of the following "core" structures: 3
[0087] where R.sup.1 R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7',
R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14
and R.sup.15 are selected from hydrogen or the same or different
substituent groups; at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' is a lipophilic substituent; and R.sup.9 in structure
(II) is a nonaromatic substituent. In one embodiment, all of the
substituents, whether they represent R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.6", R.sup.6',
R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13,
R.sup.14 or R.sup.15, contain no more than 40 atoms. In another
embodiment all of the substituents, whether they represent R.sup.2,
R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5,
R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 or R.sup.15, contain no more than 25
atoms.
[0088] Lipid solubility is imparted to the rhodamine dyes of
structures (I), (II), (III) and (IV) through the combination of
substituents selected. Lipophilic substituents at of R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.6", and R.sup.6' are especially useful in this
regard. In one embodiment, at least one R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' is lipophilic. In another embodiment, at
least two of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' are
lipophilic substituents. In yet another embodiment, all four of
R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6" and R.sup.6' are lipophilic
substituents. These lipophilic substituents may be the same or
different. Non-limiting examples of suitable lipophilic
substituents include unsubstitued (C4-C20) alkyls, (C5-C40) aryls,
and (C6-C40) arylalkyls. Depending on the number of methylene and
methine units in the lipophilic substituent, the lipophilic
substituent may also include pendant or internal hydrophilic
groups. For example, a lipophilic substitutent may include one or
more internal heteroatoms, such as one or more internal O, S, N or
NH groups. As another example, a lipophilic substituent may include
one or more pendant polar or hydrophilic substituents, such as one
or more pendant halogen, --OH, --SH, --NH.sub.2, --C(O)OH,
--C(O)NH.sub.2 or other polar or hydrophilic groups. Thus,
lipophilic substituents may also include substituted (C4-C20)
alkyl, substituted (C5-C40) aryls and substituted (C6-C40)
arylalkyls, as well as substituted and unsubstituted (C4-C20)
heteroalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted (C5-C40) heteroaryls and
substituted and unsubstituted (C6-C40) arylalkyls.
[0089] The fluorescent properties of the lipid soluble rhodamine
dyes can be tuned by the selection of different substituents as is
well known in the art. Especially beneficial substituents for
tuning the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes include the moieties on the
9-carbon, namely, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14
and R.sup.15. The R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5',
R.sup.5, R.sup.7' and R.sup.7 substituents are also beneficial
toward tuning the spectral properties of the dyes.
[0090] Symmetry is an important factor in selecting optimal dyes.
Accordingly, it is desirable, but not necessary, for the lipid
soluble rhodamine dyes to have identical R.sup.3 and R.sup.6'
substituents and/or identical R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", substituents
and/or identical R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 substituents. Similarly, it is
desirable, but not necessary, for the dyes to have identical
R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 substituents and/or identical R.sup.2 and
R.sup.7 substituents. Finally, with respect to structure (II), it
is desirable, but not necessary, for the benzo, naphtho or
polycyclic aryleno groups that bridge R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 to be
identical to the benzo, naphtho or polycyclic aryleno groups that
bridge R.sup.7 and R.sup.8. The presence of one or more, and
especially all, of these symmetries facilitates the production of a
strong emission spectrum with a narrow full width half max.
[0091] Typically, R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 in structures (I), (III) and
(IV) are not, simultaneously, pendant or fused benzo, naphtho or
polycyclic aryleno groups. The simultaneous presence of two
relatively rigid aromatic rings immediately next to the 9-carbon
may generate steric hinderances when the C-9 position is
substituted with a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl substituent.
Such steric hinderance is not a concern for structure (II), where
R.sup.9 is, by definition, a nonaromatic substituent.
[0092] Often, with respect to structures (I), (III) and (IV), the
dyes are more limited if the polymer utilized is neither activated
nor in particulate form. Specifically, in such scenarios, if
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are each phenyl or substituted phenyl and if
R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are each hydrogen, then at least two of
R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 must be other
than hydrogen.
[0093] It has been discovered that certain types of C-9 phenyl
substituted lipid soluble rhodamines have especially good
fluorescent properties. These lipid soluble rhodamines depart from
known C-9 phenyl substituted rhodamines in many ways, including the
fact that they do not possess an ortho carboxylic acid or an ortho
sulfonic acid moiety, or an amide, acid halide or salt derivative
thereof Often these lipid soluble rhodamines have symmetrical
substitutions on the C-9 phenyl ring. In one embodiment, these
lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise one of core structures (I),
(III), and (IV) above where at least one of R.sup.11 and R.sup.15
are selected, independently of one another, from (C1-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl, (C1-C20) alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino,
mercapto, (C1-C20) alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato,
mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and
sulfino, and the remainder of R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.4 are
selected, independently of one another, from hydrogen, (C1-C20)
alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20) alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl,
amino, mercapto, (C1-C20) alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato,
mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and
sulfino. Alternatively, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each the same
substituent selected from (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20)
alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, (C1-C20)
alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso,
nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino, and the remainder of
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are selected, independently of one
another, from hydrogen, (C1-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl, (C1-C20)
alkoxy, halo, (C1-C20) haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, (C1-C20)
alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso,
nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In yet another
embodiment, R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each the same substituent as
just described and R.sup.11, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are either
unsubstituted or substituted in the same manner as R.sup.11 and
R.sup.15. In still another embodiment, R.sup.12 and R.sup.15 are
each the same halo group, such as chlorine or fluorine, and
R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each hydrogen or the same halo
group selected for R.sup.11 and R.sup.15.
[0094] 5.6 Structure (I) Dyes
[0095] In one embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise
core structure (I) and, additionally, the substituents therein are
defined-as follows:
[0096] R.sup.1 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.1 is
taken together with R.sup.2 form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups;
[0097] R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is
taken together with R.sup.1 to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is taken together with R.sup.3'
to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups;
[0098] R.sup.3' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is
taken together with R.sup.2 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0099] R.sup.3" is selected from (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3" is
taken together with R.sup.4 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0100] R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4 is
taken together with R.sup.3" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0101] R.sup.5 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is
taken together with R.sup.6" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0102] R.sup.6" is selected from (C4-C20) alkyl or heteroalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups or, alternatively R.sup.6" is taken
together with R.sup.5 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0103] R.sup.6' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is
taken together with R.sup.7 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0104] R.sup.7 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.6 to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.8 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0105] R.sup.8 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.8
together with R.sup.7 form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0106] R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen, halo, (C1-C20) alkyl, haloalkyl,
--OR.sup.y, --SR.sup.y, --SOR.sup.y, --SO.sub.2R.sup.y,
--C(O)OR.sup.y, --S(O).sub.2OR.sup.y, amide, sulfonamide and
nitrile;
[0107] R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each, independently of
one another, selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0108] R.sup.x is selected from --NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OR.sup.d;
--SR.sup.d, halo, haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO,
--NO.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --S(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c- ,
--C(O)R.sup.d, --C(O) OR.sup.d, --C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OC(O)R.sup.d, --OC(O)OR.sup.d,
--OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and --OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c;
[0109] R.sup.y is selected from (C1-C20) alkyls or heteroalkyls
optionally substituted with lipophilic substituents, (C5-C20) aryls
or heteroaryls optionally substituted with lipophilic substituents
and (C6-C26) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyls optionally substituted
with lipophilic substituents;
[0110] R.sup.a is selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl or
heteroalkyl, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl and (C6-C28) arylalkyl or
heteroarylalkyl;
[0111] R.sup.b is selected from --NR.sup.cR.sup.c, .dbd.O,
--OR.sup.d, .dbd.S, --SR.sup.d, .dbd.NR.sup.d, .dbd.NOR.sup.d,
halo, haloalkyl, , --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2,
.dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.d, --S(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--S(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --S(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --SO(O)R.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2R.sup.d,
--SO(O).sub.2OR.sup.d, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.cR.sup.c- ,
--C(O)R.sup.d, --C(O)OR.sup.d, --C(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c,
--C(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c, --OC(O)R.sup.d, --OC(O)OR,
--OC(O)NR.sup.cR.sup.c and --OC(NH)NR.sup.cR.sup.c;
[0112] each R.sup.c is independently hydrogen or R.sup.d, or,
alternatively, each R.sup.c is taken together with the nitrogen
atom to which it is bonded to form a 5 to 8-membered saturated or
unsaturated ring which may optionally include one or more of the
same or different additional heteroatoms and which may optionally
be substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
R.sup.b groups;
[0113] each R.sup.d is independently R.sup.a or R.sup.a substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or R.sup.e
groups;
[0114] each R.sup.e is selected from --NR.sup.aR.sup.a, .dbd.O,
--OR.sup.a, .dbd.S, SR.sup.a, .dbd.NR.sup.a, .dbd.NOR.sup.a, halo,
haloalkyl, --CN, --NC, --OCN, --SCN, --NO, --NO.sub.2,
.dbd.N.sub.2, --N.sub.3, --S(O)R.sup.a, S(O).sub.2R.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --S(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--S(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --SO(O)R.sup.a, OS(O).sub.2R.sup.a,
OS(O).sub.2OR.sup.a, --SO(O).sub.2NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(O)R.sup.a,
--C(O)OR.sup.a, --C(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a, --C(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a,
--OC(O)R.sup.a, --OC(O)OR.sup.a, --OC(O)NR.sup.aR.sup.a and
--OC(NH)NR.sup.aR.sup.a.
[0115] In another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes
comprising core structure (I) are as described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,231,191, 5,366,860, 5,410,053, 5,750,409, 5,840,999, 5,847,162,
5,936,087, 6,008,379 and 6,248,884 with the exception that at least
one, and as many as all, of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6' and
R.sup.6" are selected from lipophilic moieties. Accordingly, these
patents are hereby incorporated by reference. Once again,
non-limiting examples of lipophilic moieties include (C4-C20)
alkyls, (C5-C20) aryls, and (C6-C40) arylalkyls.
[0116] In another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes
comprise core structure (I) and, additionally, the substituents
therein comprise one or more of the following features: R.sup.1 and
R.sup.8 are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, halo, and --CF.sub.3, or are part of a
fused aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.2 and R.sup.7,
respectively; R.sup.2 and R.sup.7 are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3,
--CN, carboxylate, ester, sulfone, amino, amido and oxoether, or
are part of a fuised aryl or heteroaryl group with R.sup.1 and
R.sup.8, respectively, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3' and R.sup.6', respectively; R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are
each, independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and
(C4-C20) alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.2
and R.sup.7, respectively; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen and (C4-C20)
alkyl or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.4 and
R.sup.5, respectively; at least two of R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.6', R.sup.6" are not hydrogen; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8)
alkyl, halo, --CF.sub.3, aryl, heteroaryl, --CN, carboxylate,
ester, and sulfone, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11 and R.sup.15 are
each, independently, selected from hydrogen, halo, ester, amide,
sulfonamide, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e, --SR.sup.e, --CN and
sulfone; and R.sup.12, R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl,
aryl, (C4 to C20) alkyl ester, sulfone, --CF.sub.3 and --CN.
[0117] In yet another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes
comprise core structure (I) and, additionally, the substituents
therein comprise one or more of the following features: R.sup.1 and
R.sup.8 are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or are part of a fused aryl or
heteroaryl group with R.sup.2 and R.sup.8, respectively; R.sup.2
and R.sup.7 are each, independently of one another, selected from
hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, and halo, or are part of a fused aryl or
heteroaryl group with R.sup.1 and R.sup.8 respectively, or are part
of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.3' and R.sup.6', respectively;
R.sup.3' and R.sup.6' are each the same or different (C4-C20)
alkyl; R.sup.3" and R.sup.6" are each, independently of one
another, selected from hydrogen and the same or different (C4-C20)
alkyl, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with R.sup.4 and
R.sup.5, respectively; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each, independently
of one another, selected from hydrogen, (C1-C8) alkyl, aryl and
heteroaryl and halo, or are part of a 5 or 6 membered ring with
R.sup.3" and R.sup.6", respectively; R.sup.11 and R.sup.15,
independently of one another, selected from hydrogen, fluoro,
chloro, (C1-C20) alkyl, --OR.sup.e and --SR.sup.e; and R.sup.12,
R.sup.13 and R.sup.14 are each, independently of one another,
selected from hydrogen and halo.
[0118] In still another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine
dyes comprise one of the following structural embodiments of core
structure (I): 456
[0119] wherein each R.sup.z is independently selected from hydrogen
R.sup.b, (C1-C20) alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3', R.sup.3",
R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.11,
R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.a and R.sup.b are as
previously defined. Often, R.sup.Z is selected from hydrogen and
(C1-C8) alkyl.
[0120] The following lipid soluble rhodamine dyes are non-limiting
examples of dyes that comprise core structure (I): 78
[0121] 5.7 Structure (II) Dyes
[0122] In one embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise
core structure (II) and, additionally, the substituents therein are
defined as follows:
[0123] R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4, R.sup.5,
R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.x, R.sup.a, R.sup.b,
R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6
with respect to core structure (I); and
[0124] R.sup.9 is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, halo, haloalkyl,
or nitrile.
[0125] In another embodiment, extended rhodamines comprising core
structure (II) are as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,008,379 and
5,936,087, with the exception that at least one, and as many as
all, of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6' and R.sup.6" are selected from
lipophilic moieties. Accordingly, these patents are hereby
incorporated by reference. Furthermore, these rhodamines can be
extended as previously discussed and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
6,248,884, which is also incorporated herein by reference.
Non-limiting examples of lipophilic moieties include (C4-C20)
alkyls, (C5-C20) aryls and (C6-C40) arylalkyls.
[0126] In another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes
comprise core structure (II) and the substituents therein comprise
one or more of the following features: R.sup.1 when taken together
with R.sup.2 forms part of a fused benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group that is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; R.sup.7
when taken together with R.sup.8 form part of a fused benzo, naptho
or polycyclic aryleno group that is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups; and R.sup.9 is hydrogen.
[0127] In yet another embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes
comprise one of the following structural embodiments of core
structure (II): 9
[0128] wherein each R.sup.Q is independently selected from
hydrogen, (C1-C20) alkyl optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b group; and R.sup.a and R.sup.b are as previously
defined. Preferably, each R.sup.Q is independently selected from
the group consisting of hydrogen and (C1-C8) alkyl
[0129] The following lipid soluble rhodamine dyes are non-limiting
examples of specific dyes that comprise core structure (II): 10
[0130] 5.8 Structure (III) Dyes
[0131] In one embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise
core structure (III) and, additionally, the substituents therein
are defined as follows:
[0132] R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7,
R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.x,
R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as
first defined in section 5.6 with respe
[0133] R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2 is
taken together with R.sup.1 or R.sup.2' to form part of a benzo,
naptho or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups;
[0134] R.sup.2' is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2' is
taken together with R.sup.2 to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.2' is taken together with R.sup.3'
to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which is optionally substituted
with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable
R.sup.b groups;
[0135] R.sup.3' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.3' is
taken together with R.sup.2' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0136] R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4 is
taken together with R.sup.3" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.4 is
taken together with R.sup.4' to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups; and
[0137] R.sup.4' is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively R.sup.4' is
taken together R.sup.4 to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups.
[0138] In another embodiment, extended rhodamines comprising core
structure (III) are as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884 with
the exception that at least one, and as many as all, of R.sup.3',
R.sup.3", R.sup.6' and R.sup.6" are selected from lipophilic
moieties. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884 is hereby
incorporated by reference. Non-limiting examples of lipophilic
moieties include (C4-C20) alkyls, (C5-C20) aryls, and (C6-C40)
arylalkyls.
[0139] In yet another embodiment, the extended rhodamines
comprising core structure (III) additionally comprises one or more
substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered fuised rings that
comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen atom from either the
exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group and one of R.sup.2',
R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7. For example, R.sup.2' can form a fused
substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered ring with
R.sup.3. Alternatively, R.sup.4 can form a fused substituted or
unsubstituted five or six membered ring with R.sup.3".
Alternatively, R.sup.5 can form a fused substituted or
unsubstituted ring with R.sup.6". Alternatively, R.sup.7 can form a
fused substituted or unsubstituted ring with R.sup.6'. Often two
fused rings are present, one that includes the imminium nitrogen
and one that includes the amine nitrogen. Illustrative substituent
groups on the five or six membered rings include R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups. In one embodiment the substituents on the
five or six membered rings include (C7-C20) alkyls, phenyl or
alkylphenyl groups, and (C7-C20) alkylester substituted phenyl or
alkylphenyl groups.
[0140] 5.9 Structure (IV) Dyes
[0141] In one embodiment, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes comprise
core structure (IV) and, additionally, the substituents therein are
defined as follows:
[0142] R.sup.1, R.sup.3", R.sup.6", R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, R.sup.x, R.sup.y, R.sup.a, R.sup.b,
R.sup.c, R.sup.d, and R.sup.e are as first defined in section 5.6
with respect to core structure (I);
[0143] R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.4 and R.sup.4' are as
defined in section 5.8 with respect to core structure (III);
[0144] R.sup.5' is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is
taken together with R.sup.5 to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups.
[0145] R.sup.5 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b group or, alternatively R.sup.5 is
taken together with R.sup.6" to form a 5- or 6-membered ring which
is optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.5 is
taken together with R.sup.5' to form part of a benzo, naptho or
polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one
or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups;
[0146] R.sup.6' is selected from hydrogen, (C4-C20) alkyl or
heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same or
different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.6' is
taken together with R.sup.7' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups;
[0147] R.sup.7' is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7' is taken
together with R.sup.6' to form a 5- or 6-membered ring optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7' is taken
together with R.sup.7 to form part of a benzo, naptho or polycyclic
aryleno group which is optionally substituted with one or more of
the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b groups; and
[0148] R.sup.7 is selected from hydrogen, R.sup.x, (C1-C20) alkyl
or heteroalkyl optionally substituted with one or more of the same
or different R.sup.b groups, (C5-C20) aryl or heteroaryl optionally
substituted with one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups and (C6-C40) arylalkyl or heteroaryl alkyl
optionally substituted with one or more of the same or different
R.sup.a or R.sup.b groups, or, alternatively, R.sup.7 is taken
together with R.sup.7' or R.sup.8 to form part of a benzo, naptho
or polycyclic aryleno group which is optionally substituted with
one or more of the same or different R.sup.a or suitable R.sup.b
groups.
[0149] In another embodiment, extended rhodamines corresponding to
core structure (IV) are as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884
with the exception that at least one, and as many as all, of
R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6' and R.sup.6" are selected from
lipophilic moieties. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884 is hereby
incorporated by reference. Non-limiting examples of lipophilic
moieties include (C4-C20) alkyls, (C5-C20) aryls, and (C6-C40)
arylalkyls.
[0150] In yet another embodiment, the extended rhodamines
comprising core structure (IV) additionally comprises one or more
substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered fused rings that
comprise, as part of the ring, a nitrogen atom from either the
exocyclic amine or exocyclic imminium group and one of R.sup.2',
R.sup.4, R.sup.5 or R.sup.7. For example, R.sup.2' can form a fused
substituted or unsubstituted five or six membered ring with
R.sup.3'. Alternatively, R.sup.4 can form a fused substituted or
unsubstituted five or six membered ring with R.sup.3'.
Alternatively, R.sup.5 can form a fused substituted or
unsubstituted ring with R.sup.6". Alternatively, R.sup.7' can form
a fused substituted or unsubstituted ring with R.sup.6'. Often two
fused rings are present, one that includes the imminium nitrogen
and one that includes the amine nitrogen. Illustrative substituent
groups on the five or six membered rings include R.sup.a or
suitable R.sup.b groups. In one embodiment the substituents on the
five or six membered rings include (C7-C20) alkyls, phenyl or
alkylphenyl groups, and (C7-C20) alkylester substituted phenyl or
alkylphenyl groups.
[0151] 5.10 Linking Groups
[0152] As discussed previously, in some embodiments, the
lipid-soluble rhodamine dye may be attached to the polymeric
material by way of a covalent linkage. In such embodiments, the
lipid-soluble rhodamine dye will typically include a linking group
suitable for forming the covalent linkage. The identity of the
linking group will depend upon the functional group of the polymer
to which the lipid-soluble rhodamine dye will be attached, and will
be apparent to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the
linking group is a nucleophilic or electrophilic group capable of
forming a covalent linkage with a complementary electrophilic or
nucleophilic group on the polymer. Non-limiting examples of
suitable electrophilic linking groups include any one or a
combination of the following: amines/anilines, alcohols/phenols,
thiols, hydrazines and hydroxylamines. Non-limiting examples of
suitable electrophilic linking groups include any one or a
combination of the following: activated esters such as
pentafluorophenyl ester and NHS-ester, acrylamides, acyl azides,
acyl halides, acyl nitriles, aldehydes or ketones, alkyl halides,
alkyl sulfonates, anhydrides, aryl halides, aziridines, boronates,
carboxylic acids, carbodiimides, diazoalkenes, epoxides,
haloacetamides, halotriazines, imido esters, isocyanates,
isothiocyanates, maleimides, phosphoramidites, silyl halides,
sulfonate esters and sulfonyl halides.
[0153] The linking group may be attached directly to the
lipid-soluble rhodamine or it may be spaced away from the rhodamine
by way of a spacing moiety. The nature of the spacing moiety is not
critical, and may vary broadly. For example, the spacing moiety may
be a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene or heteroalkylene, a
substituted or unsubstituted arylene or heteroarylene, a
substituted or unsubstituted arylalkylene or heteroarylalkylene, or
a combination of such groups. In one embodiment, the spacing moiety
is an unsubstituted alkylene of the formula --(CH.sub.2).sub.n--,
where n is an integer ranging from 1 to 40, typically from 1 to 20
and more typically from 1 to 10. Other exemplary spacing moieties
suitable for spacing the linking group from the remainder of the
lipid-soluble rhodamine molecule are described, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,727, 5,847,162, 6,229,055, 6,248,884 and
6,372,907. A lipid-soluble rhodamine may include one or a plurality
of linking groups, which may be the same or different.
[0154] In one embodiment, a lipid-soluble rhodamine suitable for
covalent attachment to the polymer is any of the
previously-described lipid-soluble rhodamines in which one or
R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5, R.sup.5',
R.sup.7, R.sup.7', R.sup.8, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14
or R.sup.15 is a substitutent of the formula --S-LG, where S
represents a bond or a spacing moiety and LG represents a linking
group. In a specific embodiment, one of R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.12,
R.sup.13 or R.sup.14 is --S-LG.
[0155] 5.11 Energy Transfer Dyes
[0156] The lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be part of an energy
transfer ("ET") network comprising, for example, two to four dyes
covalently attached to one another that transfer energy to generate
a longer Stoke's shift. One example of an ET network would be a
fluorescence resonance energy transfer ("FRET") dye. In other
words, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be part of series of
dyes that are covalently attached to one another wherein at least
one of the dyes is a lipid soluble rhodamine. Linkages for
covalently attaching rhodamine dyes to other dyes are known in the
art, as are suitable locations for attachment to the rhodamine dyes
(see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,800,996 and 5,863,727). In one
embodiment, each dye in the energy transfer network is within 5 to
100 .ANG. of the neighboring dye or dyes in the network to which it
is covalently attached. In such embodiments, the lipid soluble
rhodamine dye can be the donor, acceptor, or an intermediate dye in
the network.
[0157] Thus, in one embodiment, the lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes
useful in the fluorescent polymeric materials of the invention
include any lipid-soluble dye comprising one of the following
"core" structures: 11
[0158] wherein where at least one of R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.6"
and R.sup.6' represents a lipophilic substituent, R.sup.9 (present
in core structure (II) only) is a nonaromatic substituent, at least
one of R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.4, R.sup.4', R.sup.5',
R.sup.5, R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, and
R.sup.14 corresponds to the moiety --S.sup.1-LK--S.sup.2-D, and the
remainder R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.2', R.sup.3', R.sup.3", R.sup.4,
R.sup.4', R.sup.5', R.sup.5, R.sup.6", R.sup.6', R.sup.7', R.sup.7,
R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.11, R.sup.12, R.sup.13, R.sup.14 and
R.sup.15 are, independently, selected from hydrogen or the same or
different substituent groups having no more than 40 atoms. In this
instance, D represents a covalently attached acceptor or donor dye
and the moieties S.sup.1, LK, and S.sup.2 form what is known in the
art as a "linker"--which embraces any functionality known in the
art that attaches one dye to another.
[0159] The identity of donor or acceptor dye D is not critical, so
long as it can donate or accept energy from or to the particular
lipid-soluble rhodamine to which it is attached. Dyes that can act
as donor or acceptors for rhodamines are well-known, and include,
for example, fluoresceins, rhodamines, cyannes, phthalocyanine and
squaraine dyes. Any of these dyes, or another lipid-soluble
rhodamine as described herein, may be used as the donor dye or
acceptor dye in an energy transfer dye comprising a lipid-soluble
rhodamine. The ability to select a suitable dye D for a particular
lipid-soluble rhodamine is within the routine skill in the art.
[0160] S.sup.1 and S.sup.2 are, independently of one another, a
covalent bond or a spacing moiety. Like the previously-described
spacing moiety "S," the nature of spacing moieties S.sup.1 and
S.sup.2 may vary broadly, and may include substituted or
unsubstituted alkylene or heteroalkylenes, substituted or
unsubstituted arylenes or heteroarylene, or substituted or
unsubstituted arylalkylenes or heteroarylalkylenes, or combinations
thereof.
[0161] LK represents a linkage, which may be a bond or another type
of linkage, such as a linkage formed between a nucleophilic (or
electrophilic) group and a complementary electrophilic (or
nucleophilic) group. In one embodiment, LK is selected from an
ester, an amide, a sulfonamide, a hydrazine, an imine, a maleimide,
a sulfide, a disulfide, a carbamate and a thiocarbamate
linkage.
[0162] As will be appreciated by skilled artisans, the various
substitutents S.sup.1, LK and S of the linker should be selected to
position the lipid-soluble rhodamine and acceptor or donor dye in
close enough proximity to one another such that the dyes can
undergo energy transfer, whether via FRET or another mechanism.
[0163] Suitable linkers are illustrated, for example, by U.S. Pat.
Nos. 5,800,996 and 5,863,727 issued to Lee et al., U.S. Pat. No.
6,008,279 issued to Benson et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,419
issued to Mathies et al., all of which are hereby incorporated by
reference. Methods of synthesizing such energy transfer dyes, as
well as suitable points of attachment for covalently coupling the
lipid-soluble rhodamine and acceptor or donor dye D to one another
are also described in these patents.
[0164] In one exemplary embodiment, an energy transfer dye of the
formula D.sup.1-S.sup.1-LK--S.sup.2-D, where D.sup.1represents a
lipid-soluble rhodamine dye and S.sup.1, LK, S.sup.2 and D are as
defined above may be synthesized by reacting a lipid-soluble
rhodamine dye of the formula D.sup.1-S.sup.1-LG, where LG
represents a linking group, with a donor or acceptor dye of the
formula D.sup.1-S.sup.2-LG', where LG' represents a linking group
which is complementary to linking group LG such that LG and LG' may
react with one another to form linkage LK. As a specific
embodiment, LG may be an activated ester such as an NHS-ester and
LG' may be a primary amino group, such that reaction forms an amide
linkage LK.
[0165] 5.12 Dye Combinations
[0166] The lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may be used in combination
with one another. The lipid soluble rhodamine dyes may also be used
in combination with any other class of dye that is fluorescent and
can be attached and/or absorbed into the polymer. In one
embodiment, a combination of dyes is employed wherein all of the
dyes fluoresce when irradiated by the same excitation source. In
another embodiment, multiple excitation sources are employed.
[0167] Nonlimiting examples of additional dyes that may be employed
include acridine dyes, alizarene dyes, azo dyes, anthraquinine
dyes, bodipy dyes, coumarin dyes, cyanine dyes, fluorescein dyes
such as AMFAM and PET, lanthanide complexes, oxazine dyes,
phenazathionium dyes, phenazoxonium dyes, porphyorin dyes, pyrene
dyes, pyrilium dyes, perylene dyes, phenoxazine dyes, phenezine
dyes, rhodol dyes and xanthene dyes. Other dyes that may be
utilized include, but are not limited to the following: squaraine
derivatives; phthalocyanines; naphthalocyanines, 3-Hydroxypyrene
5,8,10-Tri Sulfonic acid, 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine, 5-Hydroxy
Tryptamine (5-HT), Acid Fuhsin, Acridine Orange, Acridine Red,
Acridine Yellow, Acriflavin, AFA (Acriflavin Feulgen SITSA),
Alizarin Complexon, Alizarin Red, Allophycocyanin, ACMA,
Aminoactinomycin D, Aminocoumarin, Anthroyl Stearate, Aryl- or
Heteroaryl-substituted Polyolefin, Astrazon Brilliant Red 4G,
Astrazon Orange R, Astrazon Red 6B, Astrazon Yellow 7 GLL,
Atabrine, Auramine, Aurophosphine, Aurophosphine G, BAO 9
(Bisaminophenyloxadiazole), BCECF, Berberine Sulphate,
Bisbenzamnide, BOBO 1, Biancophor FFG Solution, Blancophor SV,
Bodipy F1, BOPRO 1,Brilliant Sulphoflavin FF, Calcien Blue, Calcium
Green, Calcofluor RW Solution, Calcofluor White, Calcophor White
ABT Solution, Calcophor White Standard Solution, Carbocyanine,
Carbostyryl, Cascade Blue, Cascade Yellow, Catecholamine,
Chinacrine, Coriphosphine O, Coumarin, Coumarin-Phalloidin, CY3.1
8, CY5.1 8, CY7, Dans (1-Dimethyl Amino Naphaline 5 Sulphonic
Acid), Dansa (Diainino Naphtyl Sulphonic Acid), Dansyl NH--CH3,
DAPI, Diamino Phenyl Oxydiazole (DAO), Dimethylamino-5-Sulphonic
acid, Dipyrrometheneboron Difluoride, Diphenyl Brilliant Flavine
7GFF, Dopamine, Eosin, Erythrosin ITC, Ethidium Bromide, Euchrysin,
FIF (Formaldehyde Induced Fluorescence), Flazo Orange, Fluo 3,
Fluorescamine, Fura-2, Genacryl Brilliant Red B, Genacryl Brilliant
Yellow 10GF, Genacryl Pink 3G, Genacryl Yellow SGF, Gloxalic Acid,
Granular Blue, Haematoporphyrin, Hoechst 33258, Indo-1, Intrawhite
Cf Liquid, Leucophor PAF, Leucophor SF, Leucophor WS, Lissamine
Rhodamine B200 (RD200), Lucifer Yellow CH, Lucifer Yellow VS,
Magdala Red, Marina Blue, Maxilon Brilliant Flavin 10 GFF, Maxilon
Brilliant Flavin 8 GFF, MPS (Methyl Green Pyronine Stilbene),
Mithrarnycin, NBD Amine, Nile Red, Nitrobenzoxadidole,
Noradrenaline, Nuclear Fast Red, Nuclear Yellow, Nylosan Brilliant
Flavin E8G, Oregon Green, Oxazine, Oxazole, Oxadiazole, Pacific
Blue, Pararosaniline (Feulgen), Phorwite AR Solution, Phorwite BKL,
Phorwite Rev, Phorwite RPA, Phosphine 3R, Phthalocyanine,
Phycoerythrin R, Polyazaindacene Pontochrome Blue Black, Porphyrin,
Primuline, Procion Yellow, Propidium Iodide, Pyronine, Pyronine B,
Pyrozal Brilliant Flavin 7GF, Quinacrine Mustard, Rhodamine 123,
Rhodamine 5 GLD, Rhodamine 6G, Rhodamine B, Rhodamine B 200,
Rhodamine B Extra, Rhodamine BB, Rhodamine BG, Rhodamine WT, Rose
Bengal, Serotonin, Sevron Brilliant Red 2B, Sevron Brilliant Red
4G, Sevron Brilliant Red B, Sevron Orange, Sevron Yellow L, SITS
(Primuline), SITS (Stilbene Isothiosulphonic acid), Stilbene, Snarf
1, sulpho Rhodamine B Can C, Sulpho Rhodamine G Extra,
Tetracycline, Texas Red, Thiazine Red R, Thioflavin S, Thioflavin
TCN, Thioflavin 5, Thiolyte, Thiozol Orange, Tinopol CBS, TOTO 1,
TOTO 3, True Blue, Ultralite, Uranine B, Uvitex SFC, Xylene Orange,
XRITC, YO PRO 1, or combinations thereof.
[0168] In one embodiment, a lipid soluble rhodamine dye is used in
combination with a total of one to ten additional dyes which may
include additional lipid soluble rhodamine dyes. When the dyes are
not covalently attached to the polymer component, it is beneficial
for the dyes to be soluble a common hydrophobic organic solvent to
minimize the steps necessary to adequately imbibe the dyes into the
polymer.
[0169] The fluorescent dyes are selected based on the desired
emission, absorption and solubility properties. The spectral
properties of the fluorescent dyes selected should be sufficiently
close in excitation wavelengths and intensity to the lipid soluble
rhodamine dyes to permit the use of the same analytical equipment,
e.g., flow cytometry equipment.
[0170] 5.13 Methods of Dye Synthesis
[0171] The lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes may be synthesized by
well-known methods or by routine modification of such methods. For
example, lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes which include a C9-phenyl
substitutent having an ortho carboxylate or sulfonate substituent
may be prepared by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,372,907, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884, U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,481, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,008,379, U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,162, U.S. Pat. No.
5,936,087, U.S. Pat. No. 5,847,162, U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,409, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,410,053 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,191, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference. Lipid-soluble rhodamine
dyes which include an "extended rhodamine" parent ring, as
exemplified by structures (III) and (IV) may be prepared by the
methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,884 and U.S. Pat.
No.6,008,379, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes which include a non-phenyl
C9 substitutent, as exemplified by structure (II), may be prepared
by the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,087 and U.S. Pat.
No. 6,248,884, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by
reference. Lipid-soluble rhodamine dyes which include a C9-phenyl
substitute which does not have an ortho carboxylate or sulfonate
substituent may be prepared by the methods illustrated in FIGS. 1,
2 and 3 as well as the methods described in copending patent
application serial number______, entitled "Phenyl Xanthene Dyes,"
filed concurrently herewith, the disclosurse of which is
incorporated herein by reference. Additional methods are provided
in the Examples section.
[0172] 5.14 Methods of Dye Incorporation
[0173] The method of incorporating the dye or dye mixture into or
onto the polymer depends on a number of factors, including the
desired characteristics of the fluorescent polymeric material, the
intended method and environment for using the fluorescent polymeric
material, economic considerations, availability of certain items,
etc. The fluorescent dyes can be incorporated into, the polymer by
any method known, in the art including, without limitation: (i)
suspending the dyes and polymer in miscible solvent; and (ii)
adding polymer to an organic solvent that swells, but does not
dissolve, the polymer, then adding dye in organic solvent, and then
shrinking the dye filled polymers with a polar solvent such as
methanol.
[0174] In one embodiment, the dyes are incorporated internally into
polymer microparticles, typically without covalent attachment, by
absorption of the dyes into the polymeric microparticles while the
dyes are dissolved in an organic solvent. This offers the great
advantage of being able to prepare uniform microparticles with
desired properties by carefully optimized procedures prior to
adding the fluorescent dye. This also permits more flexibility in
adjusting the relative concentrations of the dyes. Furthermore, the
dyes can be distributed throughout the particles at higher
concentrations than practically attainable by covalent chemical
attachment. Such methods are known in the art and generally
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,222 which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0175] For example, the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes, being freely
soluble in organic solvents, such as ethyl acetate and
dichloromethane, and sparingly soluble in water, are easily
introduced by solvent-based addition of the dyes to previously
manufactured polymeric material. Other suitable solvents for this
purpose include aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene,
xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as chloroform and methylene
chloride (preferably mixed with an alcohol like methanol at about
30% so that the beads do not dissolve); pyridine; ethers like
dioxane; tetrahydrofuran; esters such as n-butylphthlalate, ethyl
phthalate, butylacetate; hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, methyl
cyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane; carbon disulfide; and
nitropropane.
[0176] For example, a quantity of microparticles can be soaked in a
1.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-3 molar solution of dye in
ethyl acetate. The concentration employed is not critical as long
as it is sufficient to imbibe enough of the dye into the
microparticles for the microparticles to fluoresce. Similarly, the
amount of microparticles employed is not critical as long as the
microparticles are fully immersed in the solution so that they can
absorb the dye. The microparticles are kept in contact with the
solution for a time sufficient for the microparticles to swell and,
thereby, absorb the dyes. Generally, one hour is sufficient. Once
the microparticles have swollen and a sufficient quantity of the
dyes has been absorbed, the microparticles are be made to shrink,
thereby entrapping the dyes. Shrinking can be done in a number of
ways. For hydrophobic polymers such as polystyrene, shrinking is
easily accomplished by adding a large quantity (e.g., 5 fold by
volume) of alcoholic solvent to the solution. An illustrative
alcoholic solvent for this purpose is isopropanol. The
microparticles are kept at room temperature for a time sufficient
to insure shrinking. Generally, 30 minutes is sufficient. The
microparticles are then separated from solution by centrifuge or
any other known means of separation and subsequently washed with
more alcoholic solvent.
[0177] Alternatively, it is often sufficient simply to admix the
polymers and dyes in a mutual solvent. Preferred solvents include
chlorinated aliphatic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform,
and carbon tetrachloride. Alternative solvents include aromatic
hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylene. Other solvents
include pyridine, dioxane, and dimethylformamide. The solvents may
be used in their neat form, mixed together, or mixed with other
co-solvents to improve the mixtures properties such as lowering or
raising the volatility or viscosity. The solvent is then removed
by, for example, by pouring the mixture onto a surface and letting
the solvent evaporate.
[0178] The fluorescent properties of the microparticles are
measured under set conditions and recorded. For example, the
fluorescence intensity of 1 mg of beads in 500 ul of water can be
measured and recorded. In this manner, large batches of
uniformly-imbibed microparticles with desired physical properties,
such as size and charge density, can be prepared.
[0179] In instances where it is desirable to imbibe the polymer
with a mixture of dyes, the selected dyes for the mixture can be
imbibed sequentially. Alternatively, the selected dyes can be
imbibed into the polymer simultaneously. The ratio of dyes employed
in the mixture will vary depending on the nature of the dyes and
the desired combination of spectral properties.
[0180] 5.15 Improved Properties
[0181] The fluorescent polymeric materials containing the lipid
soluble rhodamine dyes, when excited by a light source, emit an
unusually strong spectral signal with low background noise. The
spectral signal is dependent upon the identities, concentration and
ratio of the dyes in the polymer.
[0182] Furthermore, hydrophobic polymeric materials containing the
lipid soluble rhodamine dyes exhibit enhanced dye retention in
aqueous solvent. The dyes are not significantly removed from the
polymers by the water-based solvents commonly used in biologic
assays as a suspension medium. This is accomplished, in part, by
the selection of lipophilic substituents, often attached to the
amine and imminium moieties, that impart a lipophilic nature to the
rhodamine dyes.
[0183] Finally, fluorescent polymeric materials containing the
lipid soluble rhodamine dyes are highly photo and chemically
stable. In fact, some of the lipid soluble rhodamines have
photostabilities as high as ten times that of fluorescein and 100
times that of cyanine.
[0184] In summary, the fluorescent polymeric materials of the
instant invention enjoy all of the benefits associated with the use
of rhodamine dyes while avoiding the detriments that previously
made rhodamine dyes undesirable for such applications.
[0185] 5.16 Additional Substances
[0186] The fluorescent polymeric material may also optionally
include one or more other substances absorbed, adsorbed or
covalently attached thereto. As stated above, a non-limiting list
of such substances includes biomolecules, drugs, poisons, vitamins,
antigens and pathogens (including viruses, fungi and bacteria) as
well as molecules that can act as a probe for a biomolecule, such
as biotin. Non-limiting examples of biomolecules include amino
acids, polypeptides, glycosolated and unglycosolated proteins,
nucleosides, nucleotides, oligonucleotides, polynucletides, nucleic
acids, polynucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, carbohydrates, and
steroids. Compounds often classed by their functionality rather
than structure are also included, e.g., haptens, toxins,
antibodies, enzymes and hormones. In addition, the additional
substance can be a probe for a biomolecule, such as biotin.
Generally, these substances are either covalently attached to the
polymer component of the fluorescent polymeric material, e.g.,
through the one or more of the "activations" discussed above or
incorporated non-covalently by absorption into, or adsorbtion onto,
the polymer component. In one embodiment, one or more of these
substances are covalently attached to the polymer.
[0187] 5.17 Illustrative Uses
[0188] The fluorescent polymeric materials of the invention can be
used for passive or covalent coupling of biological material, i.e.,
analyte or analytical reactant, such as haptens, antigens,
antibodies, enzymes or nucleic acids and used for various types of
analyte assays such as immunoassays, nucleic acid (DNA or RNA)
assays, affinity purification, cell separation and other medical
diagnostic, and industrial applications.
[0189] In one aspect of the invention, a mixture of lipid soluble
rhodamine dyes and, optionally, additional dyes, are internally
incorporated, simultaneously or sequentially, into a polymeric
microparticle population to give the microparticle population a
unique spectral signature or "bar code." In determining the
proportion of each of the dyes to be used to generate the bar code,
the intensity values for the spectral profiles of each of the dyes
(at standard concentrations) are determined in solution at an
excitation wavelength desired to be used. The intensity values for
each- spectral profile are added together to get a composite
spectral emission profile, and the relative proportions of each of
the dyes are adjusted to give a composite spectral emission. The
addition of spectral profiles and the adjustment of relative
proportions is readily simulated on a computer (starting with the
standard experimental values determined in the previous step), and
these proportions are optionally adjusted in practice.
[0190] A number of particle populations are created, each
characterized by a different spectral bar code. The particles can
then be activated or otherwise modified so that they have a
specific reactivity with one or more substances to be measured or
assayed (analytes) in a clinical or test sample. Thus, the spectral
bar code in each particle population corresponds to a different
known reactivity. The particle populations can then be blended in a
specified ratio to form a multicolored particle mixture. Imbibed
bead mixtures may contain hundreds to thousands of fluorescent dye
molecules which greatly increases the sensitivity of assays
employing bead labels in comparison to single dye assays.
[0191] To achieve truly multiplexed analysis of a plurality of
analytes in a single sample, some form of identifiable marker, for
instance a third type of fluorescent dye or a probe for a
biomolecule (e.g., biotin) should be provided that is capable of
binding the analyte of interest. This marker has two functions,
namely, the capacity to react with the analyte and the capacity to
be detected.
[0192] In one embodiment, the microparticles containing bound
particles are then separated and analyzed by conventional methods.
Alternatively, all of the microparticles can be analyzed at the
same time. Once again, the marker, e.g., a fluorescent dye or
biotin, identifies the presence of an analyte on a given
microparticle. The microparticle's fluorescent bar code identifies
its specific reactivity. In this manner, the invention assists in
the detection, differentiation, separation, quantification and
analysis of analytes in a single mixture.
[0193] The particle populations may be analyzed by any fluorescence
detection system, including visual inspection. However, automated
techniques are preferred. Fluorescently imbibed microparticles are
particularly well suited for flow cytometry analysis. An ordinary
flow cytometer is capable of analyzing spectral properties
(fluorescent signals) of up to 20,000 particles per second and can
provide reliable quantitative data on a real-time scale.
[0194] Spectral differences that may be observed include, but are
not limited to, a difference in excitation maxima, a difference in
emission maxima, a difference in fluorescence lifetimes, a
difference in fluorescence emission intensity at the same
excitation wavelength or a different wavelength, a difference in
absorption, a difference in fluorescence polarization, a difference
in fluorescence enhancement in combination with target materials,
or combinations thereof.
[0195] The analyte and analyte reactant pairs that may be employed
vary widely. For example, the analyte and analyte reactant may be
selected from any of the following combinations wherein either
member of the combination may be the analyte or the binding
partner: antigen and specific antibody; hormone and hormone
receptor; hapten and anti-hapten; polynucleotide and complementary
polynucleotide; polynucleotide and polynucleotide binding protein;
biotin and avidin or streptavidin; enzyme and enzyme cofactor; and
lectin and specific carbohydrate.
[0196] The haptens include naturally occurring hormones, naturally
occurring drugs, synthetic drugs, pollutants, allergens, affector
molecules, growth factors, chemokines, cytokines, lymphokines,
amino acids, oligopeptides, chemical intermediates, nucleotides,
oligonucleotides or the like. The use for such compounds may be in
the detection of drugs of abuse, therapeutic dosage monitoring,
health status, donor matching for transplantation purposes,
pregnancy (e.g., hCG or alpha-fetoprotein), detection of disease,
e.g., endotoxins, cancer antigens, pathogens, and the like.
Therapeutic drugs may include, but are not limited to, anti-AIDS
substances, anti-cancer substances, antibiotics, anti-viral
substances, enzyme inhibitors, neurotoxins, opioids, hypnotics,
antihistamines, tranquilizers, anti-convulsants, muscle relaxants
and anti-Parkinson substances, anti-spasmotics and muscle
contractants, miotics and anti-cholinergics, immunosuppressants
(e.g., cyclosporine) anti-glaucoma solutes, anti-parasite and/or
anti-protozoal solutes, anti-hypertensives, analgesics,
anti-pyretics and anti-inflammatory agents (such as NSAID's), local
anesthetics, ophthalmics, prostaglandins, anti-depressants,
anti-psychotic substances, anti-emetics, imaging agents, specific
targeting agents, neurotransmitters, proteins and cell response
modifiers. Proteins are of interest in a wide variety of
diagnostics, such as detecting cell populations, blood type,
pathogens, immune responses to pathogens, immune complexes,
saccharides, lectins, naturally occurring receptors, and the like.
Receptors may find use in binding to haptens, proteins, other
receptors, or the like, or detection of the presence of pathogens,
the level of a particular protein in a physiological fluid, the
presence of haptens in a wide variety of samples, such as
physiological fluids, air, process streams, water, etc. Nucleic
acids may also find use in the detection of complementary strands,
proteins specifically binding to nucleic acids and the like.
[0197] The analyte reactant can be also be selected among
fluorescent reporter molecules capable of reacting with a variety
of inorganic analytes that define properties of biological fluids,
air, and the like, e.g., O.sub.2, CO.sub.2, Ca.sup.++, Na.sup.+,
K.sup.+, or Cl.sup.-.
[0198] Of particular interest is the binding of microorganisms and
cells,including viruses, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells,
unicellular and polycellular organism cells, e.g., fungi, animal,
mammal, etc., or fragments thereof. Usually, these large
aggregations will be non-covalently bound to the surface through
specific binding pair member complexes. By having a high density of
binding members bound to the surface, a cell or virus may be
complexed by a large number of binding pair members, providing very
strong anchoring of the cell, virus, or fragment. The system may
then be subjected to vigorous treatment without concern for
dislodging the specifically bound entity, while non-specifically
bound materials may be readily removed.
[0199] The fluorescent polymeric materials of the invention may
also be used for detecting pathogens. Monoclonal antibodies may be
linked to the surface to serve as antibodies. The sample would then
be added and cells having the epitope recognized by the antibody
would bind to the antibody on the surface. Non-specifically bound
pathogens are washed away leaving substantially only specifically
bound ones. Labeled monoclonal antibodies are then added which are
specific for an epitope other than the epitope recognized by the
catching antibody. The term epitope is synonymous to term antigenic
determinant and as used herein means a defined domain on the
molecule that serves as a reaction or binding site. A molecule may
have more than one epitope. For example, first epitope would allow
coupling of the analyte with respective analytical reactant and
second epitope will provide a binding site or domain for the
labeling reagent. In contrast, a competitor molecule will be
interfering (competing) with the formation of a binding pair
analyte-analytical reactant. After incubating to allow reaction
between the antibodies and pathogens, non-specifically bound
antibodies are washed away and the presence of the label determined
according to standard detection methods. Non-limiting examples of
pathogens of interest include Herpesviruses, Poxviruses,
Togaviruses, Orthomyxoviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Rhabdoviruses,
Coronaviruses, Arenaviruses, and Retroviruses. They may also
include bacteria including but not limited to Escherichia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus
aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella
typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Serratia marcescens,
Mycobacterium bovis, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
and Proteus vulgaris.
[0200] Assays using particles of the invention can be carried out
in a biological fluid, including separated or unfiltered biological
fluids such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, synovial
fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, gastric fluid, blood,
serum, plasma, lymph fluid, interstitial fluid, tissue homogenate,
cell extracts, saliva, sputum, stool, physiological secretions,
tears, mucus, sweat, milk, semen, vaginal secretions, fluid from
ulcers and other surface eruptions, blisters, and abscesses, and
extracts of tissues including biopsies of normal, malignant, and
suspect tissues or any other constituents of the body which may
contain the analyte of interest. Other similar specimens such as
cell or tissue culture or culture broth are also of interest.
Alternatively, the sample is obtained from an environmental source
such as soil, water, or air; or from an industrial source such as
taken from a waste stream, a water source, a supply line, or a
production lot. Industrial sources also include fermentation media,
such as from a biological reactor or food fermentation process such
as brewing; or foodstuff, such as meat, game, produce, or dairy
products. The test sample can be pre-treated prior to use, such as
preparing plasma from blood, diluting viscous fluids, or the like;
methods of treatment can involve filtration, distillation,
concentration, inactivation of interfering compounds, and the
addition of reagents.
[0201] 5.18 Inherent Limitations In Structures
[0202] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many of the
lipid soluble rhodamine dye compounds described in the various
structures herein may exhibit the phenomena of tautomerism,
conformational isomerism, geometric isomerism and/or stereo
isomerism. As the structures presented in the specification and
claims can represent only one tautomeric, conformational isomeric,
enantiomeric or geometric isomeric form, it should be understood
that the invention encompasses any tautomeric, conformational
isomeric, enantiomeric and/or geometric isomeric forms of the
compounds that have one or more of the utilities described herein.
As a specific example, reference is made throughout the
specification to the C3 amino and C6 imminium substituents. As this
nomenclature corresponds to the illustrated structures, which
represent only one of several possible tautomeric forms (or
resonance structures) of the compounds, it will be understood that
these references are for convenience only and that any such
references are not intended to limit the scope of the compounds
described herein.
[0203] Furthermore, those of skill in the art will recognize that
the lipid soluble rhodamine dyes of the invention may exist in many
different protonation states, depending on, among other things, the
pH of their environment. The structures provided herein depict the
compounds in only one of several possible protonation states.
Accordingly, it will be understood that these structures are
illustrative only, and that the invention is not limited to any
particular protonation state--any and all protonated forms of the
dyes are intended to fall within the scope of the invention.
[0204] As the lipid soluble rhodamine dye compounds used in the
invention may bear positive charges, depending upon their physical
state, they often have counterions associated therewith. The
identity or identities of any associated counterions is typically
dictated by the synthesis and/or isolation methods by which the
compounds are obtained. Typical counterions include, but are not
limited to, halides, acetate, trifluoroacetate, any salt of a
strong acid, and mixtures thereof. It will be understood that the
identity or identities of any associated counterions is not a
critical feature of the invention and that the invention
encompasses the use of dyes in association with any type of counter
ion. Moreover, as the compounds can exists in a variety of
different forms, the invention is intended to encompass not only
forms of the dyes that are in association with counterions (e.g.,
dry salts), but also forms that are not in association with
counterions (e.g., aqueous or organic solutions).
[0205] 5.19 Incorporation By Reference
[0206] All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned
in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the
same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference
cited in this specification is prior art.
6. EXAMPLES
[0207] 6.1 Experimental Overview
[0208] Lipid soluble rhodamine dyes were synthesized from reactions
of substituted and un-substituted 1-hydroxy-3 amino-benzene
derivatives with phenyl aldehyde derivatives (Examples 1, 2, and 3;
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). In general, the
N-alkyl-1-hydroxy-3-amino-benzene intermediates were, generated
from N-alkyl-1-amino-3-methyoxybenzene derivatives. The N-alkyl
1-amino-3-methyoxybenzene derivatives were synthesized by
N-alkylation of 1-amino-3-methyoxybenzene derivatives. In general,
phenyl aldehyde derivatives and amino-3-methyoxybenzene derivatives
were available from commercial sources (Aldrich Chemical company).
Alternatively, lipid soluble rhodamine dyes were synthesized by a
secondary derivatization of dyes first synthesized by established
dye forming procedures (Example 4 and Example 5).
[0209] Following this general procedure, in accordance with the
more detailed example descriptions below, the following dyes were
obtained: 1213
[0210] Dye structures were verified by mass spectrometry (see Table
1 below).
[0211] 6.2 Dye Synthesis
[0212] The general synthetic procedure for synthesis of bis
N,N-dialkyl lipophilic rhodamine dyes of structure 140 is outlined
in FIG. 1. 4-methyl-3-amino-1-methoxybenzene 110 (R'.dbd.R'".dbd.H,
R".dbd.Me) was suspended in a neat solution of n-dodecylbromide in
the presence of excess (10 equivalents) anhydrous KHCO.sub.3
powder. The reaction was heated at 130.degree. C. for 24 hours. The
cooled reaction mixture was filtered through a plug of silica gel
eluting with hexane and then ethyl acetate/hexane (1:20) to yield
pure 4 methyl-3-dodecylamino-1-methoxy benzene 120 (R.dbd.Me,
R'.dbd.R'".dbd.H, R".dbd.Me) in 70% yield (.sup.1HNMR (CDCl.sub.3)
.delta. 7.02 (d, 1H), 6.27 (d, 1H), 3.86 (s, 3H), 3.54 (bs, NH),
3.20 (t, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 1.74 (p, 2H), 1.41 (m, 18H), 0.98 (t,
3H))
[0213] As a general methyl group de-protection procedure, 4
methyl-3-dodecylamino-1-methoxy benzene 120 was suspended in dry
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, cooled to 0.degree. C. and 5 equivalents of a
solution of BBr.sub.3 (1M CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, Aldrich Chem. Co.) were
added and the reaction maintained at 0.degree. C. for 16 hours. The
reaction was quenched at 0.degree. C. by slow addition of MeOH and
then careful addition of solid NaHCO.sub.3 (10 Equiv.) until
foaming stops. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate was
concentrated to an oil, and the product was isolated by normal
phase chromatography eluting with methanol/CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The
solvent was removed from the pure fractions to give
3-dodecylamino-1-hydroxy-4 methylbenzene 120 (R.dbd.H,
R'.dbd.R'".dbd.H, R".dbd.Me) as a waxy solid in 70-80% yield
(.sup.1HNMR (CDCl.sub.3) .delta. 6.91 (d, 1H), 6.17 (d, 1H), 6.14
(dd, 1H) 4.62 (bs, OH), 3.53 (bs, NH), 3.14 (t, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3H),
1.70 (p, 2H), 1.46 (m, 18H), 0.93 (t, 3H))
[0214] As a general dye synthesis procedure,
3-dodecylamino-1-hydroxy-4 methylbenzene 120 (R.dbd.H) and a phenyl
aldehyde of general structure 130 were suspended in
dichlorobenezene and the reaction mixture was heated with stirring
at 155.degree. C. for 1 hour. Different phenyl aldehydes were found
to require different temperatures and reaction times to produce
optimal yields in the dye forming reaction. For example; when
R.sup.11.dbd.R.sup.15=chlorine, a 30 minute reaction time at
145.degree. C. resulted in complete conversion of starting
materials, and when R.sup.11--R.sup.15 =Fluorine a reaction time of
20 minutes at 135.degree. C. was sufficient for complete
conversion. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and solid
LiClO.sub.4 was added with stirring. The resulting mixture was
suspended in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and loaded directly unto a small pack
of silica gel. The silica pack was first eluted with
CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and then with methanol/dichloromethane (1:99). The
fractions containing dye were collected and concentrated to an
oil.
[0215] Thus dyes 1, 3, and 5 of general structure I (where
R.sup.4.dbd.R.sup.5.dbd.R.sup.1.dbd.R.sup.8.dbd.H, and
R.sup.2.dbd.R .sup.7.dbd.Me) were produced by the general procedure
in reactions of 120 (R.dbd.H, R'.dbd.R'".dbd.H, R".dbd.Me) with
compounds 130 where R.sup.11 to R.sup.15=H, for Dye 1,
R.sup.11.dbd.R.sup.15.dbd.chlorine and R.sup.12 to R.sup.14.dbd.H
for Dye 3, R.sup.11.dbd.R.sup.15=fluorine and R.sup.12 to
R.sup.14.dbd.H for Dye 5.
[0216] 6.3 Dye Synthesis
[0217] The general synthetic procedure for synthesis of N, N, N',
N'-tetraalkyl lipophilic rhodamine dyes of structure 240 is
outlined in FIG. 2. 3-amino-1-methoxybenzene 110 was suspended in a
neat solution of n-dodecylbromide in the presence of excess (10
equivalents) anhydrous KHCO.sub.3 powder. The reaction was heated
at 130.degree. C. for 72 hours. The cooled reaction mixture was
filtered through a plug of silica gel eluting with hexane and then
ethyl acetate/hexane (1:20) to yield pure
3-(N,N-didodecylamino-1-methoxy benzene 220 (R.dbd.Me,
R'.dbd.R".dbd.R'".dbd.H) in 70% yield (.sup.1HNMR (CDCl.sub.3)
.delta. 7.15 (t, 1H), 6.31 (d, 1H), 6.24 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H),
3.27 (t, 4H), 1.60 (p, 4H), 1.34 (m, 36H), 0.93 (t, 6H))
[0218] By the general de-protection procedure described for 120,
methyl group de-protection of 220 (R.dbd.Me) gave
3-(N,N-didodecylamino-1-hydrox- y-4 methylbenzene 220 (R.dbd.H,
R'.dbd.R".dbd.R'".dbd.H) as a waxy solid in 70-80% yield
(.sup.1HNMR (CDCl.sub.3) .delta.7.08 (t, 1H), 6.27 (dd, 1H), 6.16
(t, 1H), 6.13 (dd, 1H), 4.61 (bs, OH), 3.25 (t, 4H), 1.61 (p, 4H),
1.33 (m, 36H), 0.93 (t, 6H)).
[0219] By the general dye synthesis procedure described for 140,
3-(N,N-didodecylamino-1-hydroxy-4 methylbenzene 220 reacted with
phenyl aldehydes 130 to give dyes of general structure 240. As in
synthesis of dye 140, different phenyl aldehydes required different
temperatures and reaction times to produce optimal yields in the
dye forming reactions.
[0220] Thus, dyes 2 and 7 of general structure I (where
R.sup.1.dbd.R.sup.2.dbd.R.sup.4.dbd.R.sup.5.dbd.R.sup.7.dbd.R.sup.8.dbd.H-
) were produced by the reactions from starting materials 220
(R.dbd.H, R'.dbd.R".dbd.R'".dbd.H) and 130 where R.sup.11 to
R.sup.15.dbd.H for Dye 2, R.sup.11.dbd.R.sup.15=chlorine and
R.sup.11 to R.sup.15=fluorine for Dye 7.
[0221] 6.4 Dye Synthesis
[0222] The general synthetic procedure for synthesis of N-alkyl
indoline lipophilic rhodamine dyes of structure 340 is outlined in
FIG. 3. 3-Amino-1-methoxybenzene 110 (R".dbd.Me, R'".dbd.H) was
mixed with isobutyryl bromide in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and 3 equivalents
of triethylamine were added drop-wise at 0.degree. C. The reaction
mixture was stirred for 2 hours, quenched by addition of dilute
H.sub.2SO.sub.4 and the organic layer was separated and dried with
MgSO.sub.4. Purification by normal phase chromatography eluting
with hexane:CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (1:1) gave 111 in 96% yield. The
intermediate 111 was mixed with 5 equivalents AlCl.sub.3 and heated
at 140.degree. C. for 2 hours. The mixture was cooled and the solid
triturated with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The solution was concentrated to
an oil and then suspended in acetone. To the solution was added 10
equivalents methyl iodide and 15 equivalents K.sub.2CO.sub.3 . The
reaction was stirred overnight, filtered, and concentrated to an
oil. Purification by normal phase chromatography eluting with
hexane: CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (0.3:1) gave 112 in 60% yield.
Intermediate 112 was suspended in tetrahydrofuran and the solution
was added to a suspension of 5 equivalents of lithium aluminum
hydride in tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was refluxed for 1.5 hours
and then allowed to cool. The reaction was quenched at by slow
addition of ice chips and then cold 1 M NaOH. The mixture was
transferred to a separatory funnel and partitioned into ethyl
acetate. The organic layer was dried with Na.sub.2SO.sub.4 and
concentrated to an oil. The crude mixture was separated by normal
phase chromatography eluting with hexane/ethyl acetate (1:10) to
give 310 in 21% yield
[0223] Following the general procedures outlined for synthesis of
120 from 110, N-alkylation of 310 with n-dodecylbromide and methyl
group deprotection produced 320 (320 R.dbd.H, R".dbd.Me, R'".dbd.H;
H.sup.1NMR CDCl.sub.3 6.72 (d, 1H), 6.08 (d, 1H), 4.65 bs, OH),
3.27 (t, 2H), 3.22 (s, 2H), 2.29 (s, 3H), 1.59 (p, 2H), 1.45 (s,
6H), 1.35 (m, 18H), 0.94 (t, 3H))
[0224] Following the general dye synthesis procedure described for
140, Lipophilic rhodamine dyes of structure 340 were synthesized.
Thus, N-dodecyl-hydroxy-methylindoline 320 was reacted with phenyl
aldehydes 130 and the fractions containing 340 were collected and
concentrated to oils. By analogy to synthesis of dye 140, different
phenyl aldehydes required different temperatures and reaction times
to produce optimal yields in the dye forming reactions. Thus, Dyes
9 and Dye 10 of general structure I (where
R.sup.7.dbd.R.sup.2.dbd.Me, R.sup.1.dbd.R.sup.8.dbd.H) were
produced from starting materials 320 ((R.dbd.H, R".dbd.Me,
R'".dbd.H) and 130 where R.sup.11 to R.sup.15.dbd.H for Dye 9 and
R.sup.11 to R.sup.5=fluorine for Dye 10.
[0225] 6.5 Dye Synthesis
[0226] Lipophilic rhodamine dyes of the general structure 140 and
240, where one or more of R.sup.11 to R.sup.15 equal carboxylate
ester, were synthesized from the carboxylate dye intermediates
which had been first synthesized by established procedures. In
general, carboxylate substituted dyes were produced by reaction of
trimelletic acid anhydride derivatives or phthallic anhydride
derivatives with aminohydroxybenzene derivatives, such as 120, 220,
or 320 in methanesulfonic acid with heating.
[0227] The carboxylate acid groups were esterified by reaction of
the dye acid with the alcohol under standard acid catalyzed
esterification conditions. Thus, Dye 6 was generated by reaction of
220 (R.dbd.H, R".dbd.Me, R'.dbd.R'".dbd.H) with phthallic anhydride
followed by esterification with octadecyl alcohol (Dye 6; 240 where
R.sup.11.dbd.octadecyl carboxy ester, R.sup.12 to R.sup.15.dbd.H,
R.sup.1.dbd.R.sup.2.dbd.R.sup.7.dbd.R.sup.8.dbd.H).
[0228] 6.6 Dye Synthesis
[0229] Lipophilic rhodamine dyes of general structure (II) (where
R.sup.9.dbd.H) were synthesized by secondary derivatization of
carboxylate substituted dyes first synthesized according
established procedures as illustrated, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,936,087 (Benson et al.). In general, dyes of general
structure (II) were produced by reaction of DMF and POCL.sub.3 with
aminohydroxybenzene derivatives of general structure 310 (where
R.dbd.Me, R.sup.11 to R" bridged benzo). N-Aryl or N-alkyl
carboxylate derivatives of 310 were synthesized by established
procedures. Amidation of carboxy substituted dyes of general
structure (II) was typically performed by NHS ester activation and
reaction with the preferred amine. Thus, Dye 15 was generated by
reaction of the Dye NHS with dodecylamine.
[0230] 6.7 Spectral Analysis
[0231] Concentrated stocks of the dye were made by suspending the
dye in ethyl acetate or CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. Absorption spectra of
equal aliquots of the dyes were recorded (HP model 8451A diode
array spectrophotometer) in methanol and toluene, and the spectra
were monitored for changes in absorption intensity and wavelength.
In general, dyes with good spectral properties in non-polar organic
solvents, such as toluene, were considered good candidates for
polystyrene imbibing. An extinction coefficient equal to 80,000 for
the dyes in methanol was used to approximately determine the dye
concentrations for fluorescence measurements and bead imbibing
experiments. Fluorescence emission and excitation spectra were
recorded for diluted dye stocks in methanol and toluene at equal
concentrations of the dyes (0.6.times.10.sup.-6 M).
1TABLE 1 Spectral Analysis Emission Emission .lambda.max Emission
Mass Spectrum .lambda.max Toluene .lambda.max Beads Dye
Calc./Observed MeOH (nm) (nm) (nm) 1 650.52/[M + H].sup.+ 651.6 553
560 548 2 959.9/[M].sup.+ 960.0 586 586 586 3 718.44/[M + H].sup.+
719.52 564 575 579 5 686.5/[M + H].sup.+ 687.6 562 579 573 6
1256.1/[M].sup.+ 1256.21 588 596 587 7 1049.8/[M].sup.+ 1050.0 613
612 612 9 759.62/[M].sup.+ 759.63 615 626 616 10 849.57/[M].sup.+
decomp 661 657 659 15 841.46/[M + H].sup.+ 842.60 652 655 654
[0232] 6.8 Bead Coding Assays
[0233] A general procedure was followed to imbibe polystyrene beads
with the lipophilic rhodamine dyes 1, 2 and 9, both individually
and in combination. The polystyrene beads were typically 1-10 um in
diameter, preferably 5 um in diameter, and contained from 1 to 20%,
preferably from 1 to 5%, crosslinking. Such beads are commercially
available from a number of sources (e.g., Bangs labs, Dynal,
Spereotech, Polyscience). The dye stocks were set at
1.times.10.sup.-3 molar in ethyl acetate. Three milligrams of dry
beads were weighed into a eppendorf tube. Different amounts of dye
stocks were diluted into ethyl acetate, either as a mixture or as a
single dye. The diluted ethyl acetate solutions were added at once
to the beads. The beads were kept in contact with the dye solutions
for 1 hour and then 5 fold volume of isopropanol was added to the
bead suspension. The beads were kept at room temperature for an
additional 30 minutes and then the tube was centrifuiged down and
the dye solution separated from the beads. The beads were washed
with isopropanol. The fluorescence intensity of the beads was
recorded for a 1/3 dilution of the beads in water suspended in 500
ul of water (1 mg/ 500 ul). FIG. 4 shows the emission spectrum of
beads imbibed with a mixture of the three dyes in comparison to
beads imbibed with each dye alone and the predicted sum of the
three single dye spectra.
[0234] 6.9 Fluorescent Reference Standards
[0235] Three grams of polystyrene plastic are dissolved in 10 ml of
a suitable neutral organic solvent with agitation. Preferred
solvents include chlorinated aliphatic solvents such as
dichloromethane, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. Alternative
solvents include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene,
and xylene. Other solvents include pyridine, dioxane, and
dimethylformamide. The solvents may be used in their neat form,
mixed together, or mixed with other co-solvents to improve the
mixtures properties such as lowering or raising the volatility or
viscosity. A lipophilic rhodamine dye is suspended in the
dichloromethane or another preferred solvent to give a concentrated
stock solution. Usually the dye is suspended in the same solvent as
that used to dissolve the polystyrene. The stock concentration is
determined spectrophotometrically. An aliquot of the concentrated
stock is mixed into a portion of the pre-mixed polystyrene solution
to give the desired dye concentrations of from 1.times.10-3 to
1.times.10-15 M, preferably 1.times.10-6 M to 1.times.10-9 M. The
dye polystyrene mixture is pipetted or poured into a mold or
spotted onto a, surface and let sit from 5 to 24 hours until the
solvent evaporates. If desired, the resultant solid dyed
polystyrene can also be machined. The solid dyed polystyrene is
then used as a fluorescent reference standard for testing
fluorescence intensity or spectral shape in quality control
analysis of fluorescence detection based instruments. Similarly,
the dyed polystyrene can be formed in wells of microtiter plates
and fluorescence measurements used to establish well location or
set focal depths of fluorescence based instruments.
* * * * *